Thomas Halbert

Thomas Halbert (8 July 1806 – 12 April 1865) was a New Zealand whaler, trader and founding father. He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England and baptised on 25 December 1814 in Gateshead, Durham, England.

Thomas was the son of William Halbert (1766-1815) and Sarah 1771-1814. William and Sarah Halbert had at least 11 children:

• Sarah Halbert died 1795
• William Halbert born 1792
• Alice Halbert born 1794
• John Halbert 1796-1854
• Sarah Halbert born 1798
• Elizabeth Halbert born 1799
• George Potts Halbert 1802-1851
• Joseph Halbert 1803-1838
• Elizabeth Halbert 1804-1807
• Mary Ann Halbert 1805-1806
• Thomas Halbert 1806-1865

Little is known about Thomas before his emigration to New Zealand. Upon emigrating to New Zealand he would marry six times. His wives included:

• Unknown first wife from Rongomaiwahine in Mahia Peninsula
• Pirihira Konekone from Manutuke.
• Mereana Wero of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki descent
• Riria Mauaranui of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki descent. They were married on 21 April 1839 by Bishop William Williams.
• Kaikiri (who would later Anglicize her name to Keita) of Ngati Kaipoho and Rongowhakaata descent from Manutuke,
• Maora Pani of Rongowhakaata and Rakaipaaka descent.

His children were:

With his first wife

• unknown son who died at infancy.

With Pirihira Konekone, his second wife

• Otene Pitau (born Otene Pitau Halbert)

With Riria Mauaranui, his fourth wife

• Wi Pere (born William Pere Halbert)

With Kaikiri, his fifth wife

• Kate Gannon (nee Halbert, formerly Wyllie. She married twice and died as Kate Gannon, however she is more famously known as Kate Wyllie)
• Sarah "Hera" Paratene (nee Halbert, formerly Cunningham, formerly Wyllie. She married three times)
• Mary Gordon (nee Halbert, formerly Heany. She married twice.)
• Martha Rewanga McGaveston (nee Halbert, formerly Cuff. She married twice)

With Maora Pani, his sixth wife

• Alice Matewai Mataira (nee Halbert).
• Twins who died at infancy
• Thomas Halbert Jr.

Halbert and his third wife, Mereana Werodid not have any children.

Some of descendants include:

• All Blacks rugby player, William "Bill" Cunningham (his grandson through his daughter, Sarah)
• Rugby player, Moana Paratene (his grandson through his daughter, Sarah).
• Historian, Rongowhakaata Halbert (his great grandson through his son, Wi Pere)
• Reremoana Hakiwai (nee Halbert) (his great granddaughter through his daughter, Sarah)
• Author, Witi Ihimaera (his two times great grandson through his son, Wi Pere)
• Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa curator, Arapata Hakiwai (his two times great grandson through his daughter, Sarah)
• Politician and former rugby player, Tu Wyllie (his two times great grandson through his daughter, Kate)
• Politician, Meka Whaitiri (his four times great granddaughter through his daughter Sarah).

Other descendants include:

• Keita Kohere (nee Paratene), the wife of politician and historian, Reweti Tuhorouta Kohere (his granddaughter through his daughter, Sarah)
• Terry Kopua, the husband of Silver Fern netball captain, Casey Kopua (his three times great grandson through his daughter Sarah)
• Awerangi Tamihere (nee Durie), the daughter of Professor Mason Durie and wife of former politician and radio personality, John Tamihere (his three times great granddaughter through his daughter, Sarah)
• Gary Lewis, husband of Lady Davina Lewis (nee Windsor) who is currently 28th in line to the British throne (his four times great grandson through his son, Wi Pere)
• Senna Lewis, daughter of Gary and Davina Lewis and currently 29th in line to the British throne (his five times great granddaughter)
• Tāne Mahuta Lewis, son of Gary and Davina Lewis and currently 30th in line to the British throne (his five times great grandson)

Halbert died 12 April 1865 when he was crossing the Taruheru River and became stuck in the mud. He drowned as the tide came back in and was buried at Makaraka Cemetery. A street in Makaraka is named for him.