Frederick Aloysius Weld (later Sir)

Born 1823, England

Died 1891, England, aged 68

Premier from 24 November 1864 to 16 October 1865.

Frederick Weld was raised mainly in Paris and studied at Stonyhurst College which his own grandfather established. He then went to Friburg University in Switzerland and was proficient in French, Italian and German as well as English. In 1843 he purchased 100 acres from the New Zealand Company and sailed on the Theresa arriving in Wellington in April 1844. He farmed in the Wairarapa and in 1847 also purchased land in the South Island on Cape Cambell.

Weld got involved with politics and was elected into the very first House of Representatives in 1854 as MP for Wairau. After Parliament was prorogues he resigned his seat and traveled to England. He returned in 1857 and in 1858 was elected MP for Wairau again. He then returned to England again where he married in March 1859 Filumena Phillips of Leicestershire. Illness extended his absence and he did not return to New Zealand until January 1860. He was soon appointed as a member of the Stafford Executive to help with the outbreak of war and late in 1860 he became Native Affairs Minister until July 1861 when the Ministry lost office.

In 1864 Governor Grey asked him to form a Government. He accepted on condition that there be an amnesty for natives who had resisted the Government, confiscation of lands from rebel tribes and the moving of the seat of Government to Wellington, which Grey accepted.

Weld’s ministry lasted just under a year but it had a dramatic effect on New Zealand. The Waikato lands were confiscated, steps taken towards Maori representation and the employment of British troops terminated. His Government was defeated though in October 1865 and he left Parliament in January 1866 with poor health.

Weld left for England in May 1867 where he stayed until March 1869 when he was appointed Governor of West Australia. He went on to become Governor of Tasmania in 1875. He was made CMG in 1875 and a KCMG in 1880 when he become the Governor of the Straits Settlements in Asia. In 1885 he was again honoured with a GCMG and returned to England in 1887. He died after contracting a severe illness on 20 July 1891.

Weld was a devout Catholic all his life and the Pope made him a knight of the Order of St Pius.