James Carroll was born at Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, the son of early settler Joseph Carroll and Tapuke from Ngāti Kahungunu. Mahariah Winiata writes that Carroll "served on the European side during the Māori-European wars, and afterwards entered the Native Department as a clerk. From there he transferred to Parliament as an official interpreter. He became Member of Parliament for the Eastern Māori Electorate, Minister of Māori Affairs, and Acting Prime Minister. He was actually elected at a later stage as a member representing both a Māori and a European electorate, the only person in New Zealand to be accorded that honour, although he lost his seat as representative of a European electorate because he refused to facilitate the alienation of Māori lands to European ownership." He was a politician in the Liberal Government at the turn of the century. He was later knighted. Makereti states in her book Guide to the Hot Lakes, that Carroll interpreted the opening speeches when the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Rotorua on June 14, 1901, and that he was "one of the finest speakers in New Zealand."
Biographical sources
- "Political Portraits: Selected From the Gallery: Hon. J. Carroll (Timi Kara)." The Weekly Press 15 Sept. 1892: 35.
- Papakura, Maggie. Guide to the Hot Lakes District and some Māori Legends. Auckland, N.Z.: Brett, 1905. Front cover states Maggie’s Guide to the Hot Lakes, New Zealand. 82.
- Winiata, Maharaia. The Changing Role of the Leader in Māori Society: A Study in Social Change and Race Relations. Ed. Merran Fraenkel. Auckland, N.Z.: Blackwood and Janet Paul, 1967. 150.
Non-fiction
- Notes Of Meetings Between His Excellency The Governor [Lord Ranfurly], The Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier And Native Minister, And The Hon. James Carroll, Member Of The Executive Council Representing The Native Race, And The Native Chiefs And People At Each Place, Assembled In Respect Of The Proposed Native Land Legislation And Native Affairs Generally, During 1898 And 1899. Richard John Seddon, James Carroll And The Earl Of Ranfurly, Uchter John Mark Knox. Wellington, N.Z.: John MacKay, Government Printer, 1899.
- This book is composed of the texts of speeches given during Governor Lord Ranfurly’s visits to different tribal meetings around the country in 1898-99. It also includes texts of meetings between the Premier, R. J. Seddon and tribal chiefs. Māori versions of the speeches are found in the second half of the book.
Other
- "Preface For the Rotorua Section." Royalty in New Zealand: The Visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to New Zealand, 10th to 27th June, 1901. A Descriptive Narrative. R. A. Loughnan. Wellington, N.Z.: John MacKay, Government Printer, 1901. v.
- Carroll thanks those who made the Rotorua hui for the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in June 1901 such a success. He pays tribute to the Māori tribes "for their prompt and cordial response to the call to meet at Rotorua, and for the splendid part they took in the wonderful events of those days."
Other
- "Political Portraits: Selected From the Gallery: Hon. J. Carroll (Timi Kara)." The Weekly Press 15 Sept. 1892: 35.
- Ward, Alan. "Carroll, James 1857-1926." Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Vol. 2: 1870-1900. Wellington, N.Z.: Bridget Williams Books; Dept. of Internal Affairs, 1993. 78-81.