Zealandia’s Turpin

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Charismatic, athletic and intelligent, Jonathan Roberts came from a respectable family. A native of Cornwall, he immigrated to New Zealand with his family as a small child in 1862. After leaving sc…

Gala Day at Wainoni Park – 1909

Articles, Lost Christchurch

There is great excitement in the households around Christchurch today. It’s the Labour Day holiday and many families are going to Wainoni Park for the opening of the season. Everyone has been…

A Precocious Wastrel and his Valuable Allotment

Articles, Lost Christchurch

John Jauncey Buchanan and his Valuable Allotment Before arrival in Christchurch, the family of Scotsman John Jauncey Buchanan purchased land on what would become the centre of Christchurch. It was …

John Peacock and his Controversial Fountain

Articles, Lost Christchurch

A Tale of Convicts, Ship Wrecks, Strange Family Relations, and a £500 Bequest. Before the Canterbury Settlement was inaugurated, a young Australian lad landed at Port Cooper in the company of his f…

From Thames to a New Life in Christchurch

Articles, Lost Christchurch

In early October 1889, my 2 x great aunt, Clara Wright leaves her family home in Thames and travels on the steamer, ‘Tarawera’ to start a new life with her estranged father in Christchu…