Aroha mai
A personal note: I've had a long break from managing this site as work, life admin, and travel took over. Recently (May 2026), I had cause to log back in and to my shock and horror, I found that many of you had reached out in my absence. I really appreciate you sharing your amazing connections, stories, and questions. I'm sorry that you never heard back. I have a lot of catching up to do.
I also have a ton of information that never made it onto this site, including a very detailed (100+ pages) timeline. Bear with me as I gather steam and get back to uncovering and sharing incredible stories and details of New Zealand's pre-colonial history.
I also have a ton of information that never made it onto this site, including a very detailed (100+ pages) timeline. Bear with me as I gather steam and get back to uncovering and sharing incredible stories and details of New Zealand's pre-colonial history.
Governor Macquarie
A reader tells about his ancestor who was first officer on the Governor Macquarie in 1827, who settled in Hokianga, New Zealand.
A reader tells about his ancestor who was first officer on the Governor Macquarie in 1827, who settled in Hokianga, New Zealand.
A new story
Read the lovely story of Hiria Kokoro Tiratahi. The story relates in great detail, what it was like for families that had customary rights to go muttonbirding around the islands of Southern New Zealand. If you too have an ancestor's story to tell, you can submit it here for free.
Read the lovely story of Hiria Kokoro Tiratahi. The story relates in great detail, what it was like for families that had customary rights to go muttonbirding around the islands of Southern New Zealand. If you too have an ancestor's story to tell, you can submit it here for free.
A new ship on board
Many (belated) thanks to John McCrystal for contacting us about the ship Rifleman, wrecked on the Auckland Islands in 1833, and a mystery to all including those who found her not long after, until the riddle was solved 180 years later.
Many (belated) thanks to John McCrystal for contacting us about the ship Rifleman, wrecked on the Auckland Islands in 1833, and a mystery to all including those who found her not long after, until the riddle was solved 180 years later.