Tacy Kemp

Henry Tacy Kemp (1821–1901) was a New Zealand author, translator, and civil servant who was responsible for many land purchases in New Zealand, including Canterbury and Kawakawa.

Kemp was praised for his fluency in the Māori language and the government had him translate English literature into Māori to help with their integration into British society. to James Kemp. James was a blacksmith at Samuel Marsden's mission and later became proprietor of the Stone Store. Kemp was named after Henry Tacy, curate of Wymondham. James Kemp had been educated at Wymondham Grammar. The mission at Kerikeri had begun teaching in both Māori and English and Kemp became bilingual at a young age.

In 1834 Kemp was sent to the Pottersgate Academy in Norwich, England.

Land purchases

Kemp's bilingualism led him to become an interpreter and on 6 February 1840, he was gazetted as an Officer of the Government. Kemp prepared a translation of the Treaty of Waitangi. Kemp was promoted to Protector of Aborigines for New Ulster. In 1846 the Department of the Protector of Aborigines was replaced with the Office of Native Secretary. Kemp was made Private Secretary of the office and in 1847 he was promoted to Native Secretary and Interpreter.

Literary works

In 1848 Kemp published his English—Māori phrasebook First Step to Maori Conversation. Translations Advice on health matters (1848) Easy Lessons on Money Matters, for the Use of Young People (1851) Robinson Crusoe (1852)