Edward William Toomath (left), Settler (and father of Mr. James Toomath, the adopting father of Elsie) may be regarded as the father of education in New Zealand, was born in 1817. Educated at the Battersea Training Institute, he spent a few years as a soldier, and after teaching for some time in London and Northampton, he was selected by the Society for the promotion of Christian knowledge as the first certificated teacher for New Zealand. Landing in Wellington in 1850 becoming the first teacher in the Canterbury settlement, at Lyttelton. He severed his connection with the Society after two years, and opened private schools in Wellington and Greytown. He was the promoter of the present system of free education, although other hands did the work, and was the first inspector of schools. The Thorndon Normal School (since abolished) was promoted by him, and he was, until the time of his death, a member of the Wellington Education Board. In politics he was a Liberal and sat for some time in one of the early Parliaments. He interested himself in stock-raising, and introduced long-woolled sheep to the Colony, grazing them on the section now occupied by the Wellington Club. A successful speculator, he took an active part in establishing the Wellington tramways and other ventures. Mr. Toomath was twice married. His first wife died of cholera within twenty-four hours of marriage. His second wife, who survives him, was Eliza Jane Battersby, a passenger by the ship “Cornwall,” in 1850.
Ref 2

Bibliography:

1. Davis & Co (Wellington) fl 1878 :Photograph of Edward Toomath. Alexander Turnbull Library
   https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23203552?search%5Bi%5D%5Bname_authority_id%5D=-98973&search%5Bpath%5D=items
2. Toomath, Edward Historical Description, Longburn Genealogical Records, Forebears
   https://forebears.io/new-zealand/manawatu-wanganui-region/longburn
3. Davis & Co (Wellington) fl 1878 :Photograph of Jane Toomath. Alexander Turnbull Library
   https://digitalnz.org/records/23086659