Biography: King, Martha

Watercolour of New Zealand rata by Martha King

Watercolour painting of a sprig of rata bush with red blossoms against a white background

Botanical artist Martha King began painting specimens of New Zealand flora for the New Zealand Company in 1842. This depiction of rata in flower is one of 40 watercolours still in existence.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Martha King Collection (A-005)

Reference: A-005-040

Watercolour by Martha King

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.

How to cite this page

Moira M. Long. 'King, Martha', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1990. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/574/watercolour-of-new-zealand-rata-by-martha-king (accessed 4 June 2026).