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Story: Wetlands

Marshland

Image
Marshland

W. Menzies Gibbs painted this tranquil Canterbury scene in the late 19th century. Marshland lies north-east of Christchurch. In the 1850s it consisted of swamps and marshes (which have changing water levels). After being drained over the next 40 years, the area was converted into productive market gardens, dairy farms and orchards.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki

by W. Menzies Gibb

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Peter Johnson, Wetlands – Types of wetland, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/14333/marshland (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Peter Johnson, published 1 March 2009.