Interesting info on the Kaitaia Site.
For anyone interested;
TWP was in England in 1841 and it appears his Parents were from Ireland (well at least his Mother was) and TWP was born at Sea and Christened in Stepney;
Thomas William Portland SMITH Christened 07 October 1841,
Saint Thomas, Stepney, London
Parents ROBERT and BARBARA
It is on London Baptisms,
Fathers Occp, Policeman
Address, Arbour Square
1841 Census we have living in No 13 Arbour Square, Stepney, ;
Barbara SMITH, 20, born Ireland
Thomas William, 3weeks, born Ocean? (at Sea I presume)
Joanna (or Anna) Hickey, 4, born Ireland
Near Neighbours are Policemens Families
HO107/712/12/Stepney
Trish
