Whanganui River, 1908

Whanganui River, 1908

River scenery was highly prized. The Whanganui River was developing a reputation as 'the Rhine of the Pacific' by the late 19th century. Although the claims were exotic, the river was part of the main route from Auckland to Wellington. This detour was unavoidable while access to Te Rohe Potae (the King Country) was restricted during and after the New Zealand Wars. When the main trunk railway line between Auckland and Wellington was completed in 1908, river traffic declined.