Watercolours of New Zealand

Charles Heaphy (1821?-1881) was born around 1821, the son of the English watercolourist Thomas Heaphy (1775-1835). In 1839 he was sent to New Zealand as draughtsman of the New Zealand Company in London. During 1840-1841 Heaphy was involved in the purchase of the Chatham Islands, and in 1842 he explored the Nelson country. He returned to England later that year, and published 'Residence in various parts of New Zealand' (London, 1842). In 1858 he was made Land Surveyor of Auckland, and in 1864 he became Chief Surveyor of New Zealand. He was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1867 for his service during the third Maori War when he served as a guide at Mangapiko River. Heaphy was a Member of the House of Representatives, 1867-1870, and became Commissioner of Native Reserves in 1869, and Judge of the Native Land Court in 1878. He retired in June 1881, and died on 3 August 1881 at Brisbane.

Prints of four watercolours of New Zealand scenes.

The provenance of the collection is unknown.

Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, Watercolours of New Zealand, RCMS 340

Indexed

This collection level description was created by RAS. The biographical history was compiled with reference to the entry on Charles Heaphy in Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee, eds, 'Dictionary of national biography', vol. XXV (London, 1891), pp. 331-332.

The original paintings are in the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington.