No one today could begin to imagine what went through the mind of the Ngati Mamoe’s Chief Mawete as he scrambled up the side of Whakaraupō (Lyttleton Harbour) with the rest of his fishing party beside him. Behind them were warriors of the North Island Ngai Tahu and their ambush at Maori Valley (Gebbies Pass) …
If Ferrymead is the gateway to Christchurch, then Heathcote is the step down to that gate. As the world famous writer – and great lover of Canterbury – Samuel Butler came puffing down the Bridle Path, he not only cast his eyes over the vastness of the plains but also took in what lay at …
Over the years of 1848 to 1851, the poor old Canterbury Plains and the Harbour of Lyttelton seemed to hop from one foot to the other as the Chief Surveyor Captain Joseph Thomas amongst others scratched their heads over a few name options. When Captain Thomas arrived on our shores, Lyttelton was known as Port …
Affectionately known as ‘Mutton Chops’ because of his bushy sideburns, Frederick arrived at Lyttelton in 1852. There is not a lot about him until 1867 when he bought property and built a fine home he called ‘Yaldhurst’ – the name of his Uncle’s property in Exeter, England. He had returned home to England twice during …