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Story: Camping

Explorers' camp, Canterbury Plains, 1848

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Explorers' camp, Canterbury Plains, 1848

This framework of crossed sticks joined by a ridgepole is the skeleton of the tent used by a surveying party in December 1848. The group was exploring possible sites for a new Canterbury settlement, and included New Zealand Company agent William Fox and two Māori porters (probably the two men in white clothing). They camped in the bed of the almost-dry Ashley River, where Fox painted this watercolour.

Using this item

Hocken Collections, University of Otago

Reference: S12-220a

by William Fox

Permission of the Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Further information may be obtained from the Library through its website.

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How to cite this page

Mark Derby, Camping – Early New Zealand campers, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/39184/explorers-camp-canterbury-plains-1848 (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Mark Derby, published 26 November 2012.