Walter Mantell

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Walter Baldock Durant Mantell (11 March 1820 – 7 September 1895) was a 19th century New Zealand scientist, politician, and Land Purchase Commissioner. He was a founder and first secretary of the New Zealand Institute, and discovered and collected Moa remains.

He was the Minister of Māori Affairs in 1861 and 1864-65, and Postmaster-General briefly in 1862. He represented the Wallace electorate from 1861 to 1866, when he retired. From 1866 until his death he was on the New Zealand Legislative Council.

He was born in Lewes, Sussex, England, the son of the geologist Dr Gideon Mantell. He died in Wellington.