Edward Gibbon Wakefield used to be known as "The Father of New Zealand." But modern historians have pointed to the disastrous impact of his colonial policies on indigenous people, his misleading propaganda and, (not least) his abduction and marriage of a teenage girl.

Edward Gibbon Wakefield used to be known as 'The Founding Father of New Zealand.'

He was described as a humanitarian visionary, the driving force behind the colonisation of New Zealand and - according to some - the entire British Commonwealth.

But Wakefield makes for a problematic kind of parent.

Modern historians have pointed to the disastrous impact of his colonial policies on indigenous people, his misleading propaganda and, not least, his abduction of and marriage to a teenage girl.

In this two-part episode of Black Sheep, William Ray investigates Wakefield's life and legacy.

Troublemaker

Edward Gibbon Wakefield came from a middle class home in Cumbria. He was born in 1796, to a family known for their involvement in banking and enthusiasm for humanitarian reform.

But his early life was chaotic.

As Dr Philip Temple explained, "Edward Gibbon's grandfather lost his money. So they had the status but not the cash."

Dr Temple is author of A Sort of Conscience, a biography of the wider Wakefield family.

He said it was a troubled family. Wakefield's mother suffered from recurring bouts of malaria and his father was often absent; "Either philandering with other women or occupied by his own pet reform projects."

In that context it's unsurprising Wakefield had trouble at school. Dr Temple said he was expelled from two and refused to attend the final one.

"He was clearly one of those children who are disruptive because they can't work within the status quo, but it's often those people who turn out to be leaders or innovators in society. He also clearly, from an early age, had the gift of the gab and was a damn good writer. "

Wakefield used those communication skills to land his first job: a messenger in the British Diplomatic service.

He dreamed of becoming a Member of Parliament, but to do that he needed a LOT of money. In his day it was all but impossible to become an MP unless you were the equivalent of a multi-millionaire.

Luckily, Wakefield had a solution to his money problems. When he turned 20 he eloped with 16-year-old Eliza Pattle, heir to a gigantic family fortune.

But this marriage wasn't just about money. "It was clearly a love match," Dr Temple said. …

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details