The Governor

George Grey is the most controversial and contradictory figure in New Zealand history. As Governor and Premier his impact on the events of the 19th Century was such that we are still, to some degree, a nation of his making. He ruled colonies with the power no man has wielded since. He was ambitious and autocratic, humanist and intelligent, a philanthropist and philanderer. He lived by the double standard of a Christian, Victorian gentleman, torn between honourable duty and the guilty pursuit of pleasure. There has never been anyone quite like the Governor.