Wanganui in 1841

A view of the new settlement of Petre or Wanganui (Whanganui) in September 1841, just after its establishment.

Wanganui was the New Zealand Company’s second settlement. It began as an adjunct of Wellington. Most of Wanganui's early European settlers came via Wellington and many made the journey on foot along the coast. The name Petre (after Lord Petre, a director of the company) was never popular and was officially changed in 1854.

Uncertainty marked Wanganui's early years. While lower-river Maori were generally supportive of ‘their’ town, upriver Maori were hostile. Conflict broke out in 1847. In May 1848 the government made a further payment to confirm its ownership of almost 35,000 hectares.

In this painting the building being thatched is the Police Office and Police Magistrate's house. The larger home of E.J. Wakefield ('ware Wikitoria'), who completed the original purchase of Wanganui for the New Zealand Company, can also be seen. The large cliff across the river is Shakespeare's Cliff.