As a surgeon and naturalist for the New Zealand Company, Ernst Dieffenbach (1811 55) travelled widely in the North Island between 1839 and 1841. He was the first European to successfully scale Mount Egmont (or Taranaki), and he also visited the natural wonders of the Pink and White Terraces at Lake Rotomahana, which were later destroyed in a volcanic eruption. First published in 1843, this two-volume work describes the landscapes, flora and fauna in a highly readable style. In Volume 1, Dieffenbach recounts his sea journeys through Cook Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound, along with his...

As a surgeon and naturalist for the New Zealand Company, Ernst Dieffenbach (1811 55) travelled widely in the North Island between 1839 and 1841. He was the first European to successfully scale Mount Egmont (or Taranaki), and he also visited the natural wonders of the Pink and White Terraces at Lake Rotomahana, which were later destroyed in a volcanic eruption. First published in 1843, this two-volume work describes the landscapes, flora and fauna in a highly readable style. Volume 2 focuses on the Maori inhabitants of the island, for whom Dieffenbach had a respect and admiration that was...

One of the most celebrated and prolific authors of the Victorian era, Anthony Trollope (1815 82) was also an enthusiastic traveller. This two-volume work recounts his two-year journey across Britain's colonies in the Antipodes. First published in 1873, it celebrates the success of British colonisation, but also considers with pragmatic foresight the inevitable unification of the Australian territories and their desire for greater independence. Volume 1 covers Trollope's travels through Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Each section addresses the history and governance of the relevant...

One of the most celebrated and prolific authors of the Victorian era, Anthony Trollope (1815 82) was also an enthusiastic traveller. This two-volume work recounts his two-year journey across Britain's colonies in the Antipodes. First published in 1873, it celebrates the success of British colonisation, but also considers with pragmatic foresight the inevitable unification of the Australian territories and their desire for greater independence. In Volume 2, Trollope describes his travels through Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and New Zealand. He supplements his travelogue with...

From humble origins, and trained by the London Missionary Society in theology, printing and rudimentary medicine, William Ellis (1794 1872) sailed for the Society Islands in 1816. He found himself at the cusp of major cultural change as Western influences affected the indigenous Polynesians. During his time there, Ellis became a skilled linguist and able chronicler of the traditional yet rapidly shifting way of life. He succeeded in capturing vivid stories of a leisured people who, without written language, had developed a rich oral tradition, social structure and belief system. Published in...

From humble origins, and trained by the London Missionary Society in theology, printing and rudimentary medicine, William Ellis (1794 1872) sailed for the Society Islands in 1816. He found himself at the cusp of major cultural change as Western influences affected the indigenous Polynesians. During his time there, Ellis became a skilled linguist and able chronicler of the traditional yet rapidly shifting way of life. He succeeded in capturing vivid stories of a leisured people who, without written language, had developed a rich oral tradition, social structure and belief system. Published in...

In 1722, on Easter Sunday, Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen became the first European to visit the Polynesian island of Rapa Nui. He named it Easter Island. Decades later, concerned that the British intended to establish a Pacific base, the Spanish ordered an expedition to the South Pacific from Peru. Felipe Gonzalez de Ahedo (1702 92) landed on Easter Island in November 1770 and claimed it for the Spanish crown. These English translations of the first-hand accounts from these two expeditions were prepared by the antiquarian and bibliophile Bolton Corney (1784 1870) and published for the...