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Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake

Te Ati Awa leader Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake's refusal to give up his land at Waitara led to the outbreak of the Taranaki War. In later life joined the pacifist community at Parihaka

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Today in History

17 August

1839 NZ Company ship Tory arrives

The sailing ship Tory dropped anchor in Queen Charlotte Sound to pick up fresh water, food and wood before proceeding to Port Nicholson (Wellington Harbour). On board were representatives of the New Zealand Company, sent with the express purpose of readying the country for organised settlement. Their objectives were threefold: the purchase of land, the acquisition of information about the country, and the preparation of settlements for the emigrants the Company was recruiting.

The party was led by Colonel William Wakefield, brother of the Company's leading figure, E. G. Wakefield. He was joined by his brother's son, E. J. Wakefield, naturalist Ernst Dieffenbach, draughtsman Charles Heaphy and interpreter Nahiti. Dr John Dorset had been appointed as Colonial Surgeon and Captain Edward Main Chaffers as master of the ship.

With the voyage to New Zealand in mind, the Company had purchased the Tory from Joseph Somes, deputy director of the Company, towards the end of 1838. The ship's name, which now graces the channel that forms part of the ferry route between Wellington and Picton, was an expression of Somes' political leanings.

The Tory made the journey to New Zealand in record time, taking only 96 days. Haste was important as the Company planned to send their first ships of settlers to New Zealand before receiving confirmation that the expedition had been successful. The first of the New Zealand Company migrant ships, the Aurora, arrived in New Zealand on 21 January 1840.

Image: New Zealand Company poster (Te Ara)