Willoughby Shortland | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Willoughby Shortland drawn by his niece. | |
| 1st Colonial Secretary of New Zealand | |
| In office 3 May 1841 – 31 December 1843 | |
| Governor | William Hobson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 September 1804 Plymouth, Devonshire, England |
| Died | 7 October 1869 (aged 65) Courtlands, Devonshire, England |
| Spouse | Isabella Kate Johnston |
| Relations | Edward Shortland (brother) Peter Shortland (brother) John Shortland (uncle) John Shortland (grandfather) |
| Occupation | Royal Navy, colonial administrator |
Commander Willoughby Shortland (30 September 1804 – 7 October 1869) was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. He was New Zealand's first Colonial Secretary from 1841, after having arrived in New Zealand with Lieutenant Governor William Hobson in January 1840. He was later President of the island of Nevis and then Governor of Tobago.