Story: Acclimatisation

George Grey and zebras

George Grey and zebras

This 2001 painting by Hamish Foote, titled ‘Allegorical triumph of Sir George’, parodies Governor George Grey as the ‘king’ of his extravagant domain. In 1862 Grey bought Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf. He imported many exotic plants and animals in an ambitious plan to transform it into an earthly paradise. His menagerie included kangaroos, wallabies, antelopes, monkeys, zebras, gnu, emus, peafowl and kookaburras.

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Artwork by Hamish Foote

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Acclimatisation - Improving upon nature', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/17463/george-grey-and-zebras (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 24 Nov 2008