Christopher Maling was born between 1841 and 1842 in England. When he was a few months old, his family sailed to New Zealand aboard the Martha Ridgway landing in Nelson in 1842. When he was young, his father, the Constable of Nelson, was killed in the Wairau affair. A few years later his mother either died or was also killed.
Before fighting in the Land Wars, Maling acted as a surveyor in Auckland, Nelson, Southland, and the Waikato. During the Land Wars Maling served under Colonel Whitmore as a guide/scout in the Taranaki region. He was awarded the New Zealand Cross for two reconaissance missions; one which uncovered a planned ambuscade and the other which revealed the direction of Titokowaru's retreat from Taaurangaika. He attained the position of Sergeant in the Corps of Guides.
After the war Maling returned to surveying and was engaged in the construction and planning of telegraph lines throughout the country, including one that streteched from Hawera to New Plymouth. He later travelled to Japan, Africa, South and North America.
Maling died in 1916 in England. He was survied by his wife Hilda.
- E J Godley, Landcare Research
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/plants/documents/Godley1997MalingCL.pdf