Son of Francis White, he was born in England, and went out to New Zealand with his father in 1832, settling first at Kororāreka.

His uncle, William White, was a Wesleyan missionary in nearby Hokianga and may have encouraged their emigration to New Zealand.

Kororāreka was sacked by the Māori forces at the beginning of the Flagstaff War in 1845, and the White family moved to Auckland.

[1][2] White was employed by the government in positions where he came much into contact with the Māori people.

He was also author of a novelette, entitled Te Rou, Or, The Māori at Home (1874).