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On January 29On January 29thth 1840 the HMS Herald 1840 the HMS Herald arrived in the Bay of Islands with arrived in the Bay of Islands with

Governor William Hobson on board.Governor William Hobson on board.

John Logan Campbell John Logan Campbell is often referred to is often referred to

as the Father of as the Father of Auckland but a Auckland but a

better candidate for better candidate for the title is William the title is William

Hobson.Hobson.

It was Hobson who chose Tamaki for the It was Hobson who chose Tamaki for the new capital.new capital.

It was chosen instead of Port Nicholson.It was chosen instead of Port Nicholson.

It was named after Lord Auckland.It was named after Lord Auckland.

After the Treaty of After the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, Waitangi was signed, seven Orakei chiefs seven Orakei chiefs

approached Hobson on approached Hobson on behalf of paramount behalf of paramount

chief Te Kawau and his chief Te Kawau and his tribe, Ngati Whatua o tribe, Ngati Whatua o

Tamaki.Tamaki.

Maori of the Tamaki Maori of the Tamaki Isthmus were Isthmus were

vulnerable and reduced vulnerable and reduced in numbers.in numbers.

They felt threatened by They felt threatened by the Nga Puhi in the the Nga Puhi in the

north and the Waikato north and the Waikato tribes in the south.tribes in the south.

The presence of Hobson The presence of Hobson would give security to would give security to

the area.the area.

During the five months after the During the five months after the signing of the Treaty, Hobson came signing of the Treaty, Hobson came

to Auckland three times.to Auckland three times.

By August 1840 Hobson had decided By August 1840 Hobson had decided to move the capital from the Bay of to move the capital from the Bay of

Islands to Auckland.Islands to Auckland.

Hobson informed London that there were Hobson informed London that there were two harbours for comprehensive water two harbours for comprehensive water

transport.transport.

Although Auckland had few Maori at the Although Auckland had few Maori at the time it was regarded as the geographic time it was regarded as the geographic

centre of Maori population. centre of Maori population.

• On September the 13On September the 13thth 1840 the barque 1840 the barque ‘Anna Watson’ ‘Anna Watson’ arrived in Auckland. On arrived in Auckland. On

board was Captain Symonds, six board was Captain Symonds, six officials and thirty two mechanics, officials and thirty two mechanics,

artisans and labourers. Most had been artisans and labourers. Most had been recruited in Sydney.recruited in Sydney.

Example of a barqueExample of a barque

The barque Platina was already in The barque Platina was already in Auckland. On board was a Auckland. On board was a

prefabricated house for the Governor.prefabricated house for the Governor.

All was ready by the 18All was ready by the 18thth September 1840. September 1840. It was lovely weather and the official It was lovely weather and the official party came ashore near the foot of party came ashore near the foot of

modern Queen Street.modern Queen Street.

The party climbed Point Britomart-The party climbed Point Britomart-near Emily Street/Anzac Avenuenear Emily Street/Anzac Avenue

Also at the ceremony were Ngati Whatua Also at the ceremony were Ngati Whatua chiefs and 100 followers.chiefs and 100 followers.

A deed of sale for 3000 acres was signed.A deed of sale for 3000 acres was signed.

A flag was raised.A flag was raised.

At the base of the flagpole was written At the base of the flagpole was written ‘Auckland’‘Auckland’

The day continued with a 21 gun salute from the Anna The day continued with a 21 gun salute from the Anna Watson and a 15 gun salute from the Platina.Watson and a 15 gun salute from the Platina.

They drank to Her majesty’s health and had three They drank to Her majesty’s health and had three cheers.cheers.

There was a 7 gun salute from the Anna Watson for There was a 7 gun salute from the Anna Watson for Hobson then three cheers from the sailors on the Hobson then three cheers from the sailors on the

ships and a cheer from those on shore.ships and a cheer from those on shore.

This was followed by a regatta.This was followed by a regatta.

The Surveyor-General’s wife, Mrs Matthew The Surveyor-General’s wife, Mrs Matthew recorded that there: ‘was a boat race for recorded that there: ‘was a boat race for sailors, a race for gentlemen and a canoe sailors, a race for gentlemen and a canoe

race for the natives.’ race for the natives.’

The Surveyor-General’s five oared gig raced The Surveyor-General’s five oared gig raced against a six oared gig belonging to the against a six oared gig belonging to the captain of the Anna Watson.captain of the Anna Watson.

There was a race between whaleboats for a 5 There was a race between whaleboats for a 5 prize.prize.

There was no prize for the Maori boats but There was no prize for the Maori boats but each paddler was given ½ lb of tobacco.each paddler was given ½ lb of tobacco.

It took a further 8 months to get the new It took a further 8 months to get the new Auckland government organised.Auckland government organised.

Maori provided thatched huts for the officials, Maori provided thatched huts for the officials, mechanics and private settlers.mechanics and private settlers.

They also provided pork, potatoes, cheap They also provided pork, potatoes, cheap vegetables, firewood and timber.vegetables, firewood and timber.

Maori also acted as stonemasons, gardeners Maori also acted as stonemasons, gardeners and labourers.and labourers.

Auckland was now the commercial Auckland was now the commercial capital of New Zealand.capital of New Zealand.

Auckland celebrates its anniversary on Auckland celebrates its anniversary on the 29the 29thth January – it should be the 18 January – it should be the 18thth

September.September.

The regatta, started so long ago, is still The regatta, started so long ago, is still the central feature of Auckland’s the central feature of Auckland’s

celebration.celebration.

The EndThe End