Ferret
In 1805, Captain Skelton of Bennett's ship Ferret visited the Bay of Islands. On board the ship was a passenger, John Savage, on his way to England to defend himself against charges received during his time as an assistant surgeon in New South Wales. On returning to England, Savage published an account of New Zealand in which he described seeing potatoes grown for trade with European vessels. He also gave mention of a white man living among local Maori who kept his distance from the shipping but whose wife and child were seen, the child having fair hair.
When Ferret resumed her voyage to England, John Savage had a companion sail with him, Moehanga, from the Nga Puhi tribe. Moehanga was to be the first native New Zealander to make a round trip to England and from Dr Savage's account, the marvels of a modern society were not lost upon the Maori visitor. Moehanga made his way back to New Zealand on Ferret, still under the command of Captain Skelton.
When Ferret resumed her voyage to England, John Savage had a companion sail with him, Moehanga, from the Nga Puhi tribe. Moehanga was to be the first native New Zealander to make a round trip to England and from Dr Savage's account, the marvels of a modern society were not lost upon the Maori visitor. Moehanga made his way back to New Zealand on Ferret, still under the command of Captain Skelton.