William Skinner was the son of pioneer settlers in Taranaki. He trained as a survey cadet and surveyed much of the bush-clad areas of Taranaki. From 1888, ill-health required a change in roles to draughtsman and inspecting surveyor.
William Walter Smith was born in Scotland. In his youth he worked as a gardener in several English country houses. His family emigrated and farmed near Ashburton, where William later worked on the Mt Peel and Albury pastoral stations.
Born in southern Wairarapa to a Pakeha whaler and Maori mother, Hoani Paraone Tunuiarangi became a chief of Ngati Kahungunu and a volunteer soldier, known in later life as Major Brown. As a young man in the 1860s he acted as a guide and interpreter for the government forces.
