Betty Guard (born Elizabeth Parker; 3 December 1814 – 16 July 1870) was an Australian-born pioneer settler in New Zealand, widely regarded as the first woman of European descent to settle in the South Island. She is best known for her 1834 kidnapping by Māori, a dramatic rescue mission involving British troops, and the subsequent controversy over the use of excessive force.
Early Life and Family
Elizabeth Parker was born in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia, on 3 December 1814. Her father was a former convict, and she grew up in Sydney with her mother, stepfather, and five siblings. Around 1830, at the age of 15, she married John "Jacky" Guard, a former convict and whaler who was 39 years old. At 16, she travelled to New Zealand on 7 November 1830 to settle at his whaling station at Te Awaiti on Arapaoa Island in the Tory Channel. In 1832, the family moved to Kākāpō Bay at Te Whanganui / Port Underwood.
Guard is thought to have been the first European woman to settle in the South Island. Her son John (born 1 October 1831) was the first child of European descent born in the South Island; a daughter, Louisa, followed in late 1833.
The 1834 Kidnapping
In January 1834, the family travelled to Sydney. On their return voyage in April, the ship Harriet was wrecked near Taranaki. All passengers survived, but after two weeks they were attacked by local Māori of the Taranaki and Ngāti Ruanui iwi. Twelve crew members were killed, including Betty's brother, and the Guards were taken captive.
During the attack, Betty was nearly killed with a tomahawk, but a tortoiseshell comb in her hair deflected the blow, saving her life. She was taken to Te Namu pā, where she was given a mat to wear. Two weeks later, Jacky was released on the understanding he would return with a cask of gunpowder as ransom. He instead returned to Sydney to seek help from Governor Richard Bourke.
The case became a cause célèbre in the press. The Sydney Herald reported luridly that Betty was taken naked into captivity and witnessed cannibalism of dead crew members. Other reports said she was well-treated and lived under the protection of the chief Oaoiti.
Rescue Mission and Controversy
On 31 August 1834, HMS Alligator and the Isabella sailed from Sydney with 65 soldiers, joined by Jacky Guard. The mission recovered eight sailors on 21 September, and on 25 September found Betty and her daughter at Te Namu pā. The pā was attacked and burned, Oaoiti was bayoneted and kidnapped, and Betty was taken further along the coast. On 1 October, a prisoner exchange took place: Betty and Louisa were returned in exchange for Oaoiti. Betty's son was rescued on 8 October after the ships bombarded the pā at Waimate, killing a number of Māori.
The mission was criticised in the British House of Commons and by humanitarian organisations for using excessive force.
Later Life
Guard returned to Sydney, but her daughter died eight months after the events. There were rumours that Guard gave birth to twins fathered by Oaoiti. She had a second son with Jacky in November 1835, and in early 1836 the family returned to Kākāpō Bay. She lived there for the rest of her life, having five more children. Jacky died in 1857; Betty died on 16 July 1870 at age 55 and was buried at Kākāpō Bay. Near the end of her life she was described as "a most remarkable woman, tall and thin and very alert."
The tortoiseshell comb that saved her life is held in the collections of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Her story is the subject of Fiona Kidman's 2005 novel The Captive Wife.
