Sir James Prendergast(1826-1921)was a Judge and Administrator, Attorney General and Chief of Justice on New Zealand (1875-1899). From 1871, he farmed in the Manawatu region, owning the extensive Tiritea Estate at Fitzherbert and also land at Bunnythorpe. He helped establish the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association of which he was the first president.