Sir James George Barnes MBE CStJ (24 September 1908 – 6 June 1995) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.

Barnes was born in Dunedin on 24 September 1908, and was educated at Andersons Bay School, and then King Edward Technical College from 1919 to 1921.

He put pressure on German resources helping fellow prisoners escape, and received various punishments, including a sentencing to be shot, though later the camp brutality eased, and Barnes was not executed.

[2] In 1945, Barnes was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division), for distinguished service while a prisoner-of-war.

In the 1976 Queen's Birthday Honours, Barnes was appointed a Knight Bachelor, in recognition of his service as mayor of Dunedin.

[7] The Sir James Barnes Memorial Lookout is located between Forbury Park and the dunes of Saint Kilda Beach (at 45°54′35.6″S 170°29′45.3″E / 45.909889°S 170.495917°E / -45.909889; 170.495917), and commands a view across the southern part of Dunedin.