P. W. (Peter William) Barlow

Peter William Barlow was an English-trained civil engineer who later became a settler and writer in New Zealand. Sources from the National Library of New Zealand describe him as the son of Peter William Barlow, F.R.S., educated in England and trained as a civil engineer. They also note that before emigrating he worked on contracts in Turkey and Brazil, as well as on the Tower Subway in London.

In 1883, he traveled to New Zealand with his family aboard the East Lothian and settled at Matakohe under engagement to a land company. A surviving journal from that voyage is held by the National Library of New Zealand, and it helps place his move to New Zealand in his own lifetime rather than only through later reference works.

He is remembered in literature mainly for Kaipara; or, experiences of a settler in North New Zealand, published in 1888 and illustrated by the author. The book draws on his firsthand experience of pioneer life in the Kaipara district, giving readers a lively picture of travel, settlement, and everyday colonial challenges. He died in 1890.