William Martin

Sir William Martin (1807 – 18 November 1880) was the first Chief Justice of New Zealand, from 1841 until he resigned in 1857.

Biography Originally from the family of the Martins of Long Melford, Suffolk, Martin was born in Birmingham. He was born in 1807 and baptised on 22 May 1807. He was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Eton, and St John's College, Cambridge. On 3 April 1841, he married Mary Ann Parker at St Ethelburga's Bishopsgate where her father was rector. He was appointed Chief Justice of the Colony of New Zealand by the Colonial Office in January 1841 (warrant under Royal sign manual 5 February 1841; sworn 10 January 1842), and arrived in New Zealand in August 1841. He returned to England in 1874, dying at Torquay in 1880.

As a judge, Sir William Martin was courteous and patient, but firm, impartial, and of unimpeachable integrity.