Mike King presents the story of Gustavus Von Tempsky: swashbuckling colonial soldier of fortune, "flamboyant folk hero" and "our first pin up boy". The Prussian-born artist, self-promoter, romantic and adventurer, led an elite unit - the Forest Rangers - in the 1860s New Zealand Wars, garbed in trademark Garibaldi shirt, kilt and calvary sabre. His bush-fighting skill attracted respect from Māori foes, who named him "manu rau" (many birds); but also controversy after an infamous raid. He met his demise fighting guerilla leader Titokowaru.
I came across Gustavus Ferdinand Von Tempsky in my reading about The New Zealand Wars and was struck by the way many history writers (or re-writers!) had so strongly condemned him. It was as if he had become the scapegoat of all the Pākehā guilt ...
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