James Prendergast (judge)

Sir James Prendergast
3rd Chief Justice of New Zealand
In office
1 April 1875 – 25 May 1899
Nominated byDaniel Pollen
Appointed byLord Normanby
Preceded byGeorge Arney
Succeeded byRobert Stout
Personal details
Born(1826-12-10)10 December 1826
London, England
Died27 February 1921(1921-02-27) (aged 94)
Wellington, New Zealand
SpouseMary Jane Hall

Sir James Prendergast GCMG (10 December 1826 – 27 February 1921) was the third Chief Justice of New Zealand. Prendergast was the first Chief Justice to be appointed on the advice of a responsible New Zealand government, but is chiefly noted for his far-reaching decision in Wi Parata v The Bishop of Wellington in which he described the Treaty of Waitangi as "a simple nullity"