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Story: Nelson region

Nelson Haven, November 1841

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Nelson Haven, November 1841

This watercolour by Charles Heaphy shows the three ships of the New Zealand Company's expedition to chose a site for its second settlement, Will Watch, Whitbyand Arrow, anchored in Nelson Haven. Prefabricated barracks and tents were erected to house New Zealand Company staff who were busy preparing the site for the settlers due to arrive three months later.  In the middle distance are the Moutere Hills and beyond them the Tasman Mountains.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: C-025-015

by Charles Heaphy

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Nelson region – European settlement, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/28821/nelson-haven-november-1841 (accessed 12 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 3 September 2010, updated 1 August 2015.