Five years in New Zealand (1859 to 1864)

A young engineer leaves his familiar English life behind, drawn by the promise of a distant land that is still being mapped and settled. He sails across storm‑tossed seas, battling white squalls, unexpected encounters with sharks and the grief of a sudden loss aboard ship. When the vessel finally reaches the harbor of Lyttelton, he is welcomed into a fledgling Christchurch, where the remnants of early colonial ambition merge with the still‑vibrant presence of the Maori.

On land, he jumps from one rugged occupation to another—working a sheep run, joining a survey party, and even trying his luck on the booming goldfields of Otago. Along the way he learns the practical skills of driving sheep through snow, hunting wild boar, and navigating the unpredictable weather of the Southern Alps. His journal captures both the breathtaking scenery and the everyday challenges of building a new life in a country at the edge of the world.