Image
The first sod is turned for the main trunk railway on the King Country boundary on 15 April 1885. In the centre behind the barrow, wearing a top hat, is Ngāti Maniapoto leader Rewi Maniapoto with his daughter Te Kore. Behind her to the left is the premier, Sir Robert Stout. This was a historic occasion as the tribe had finally been convinced to open their land up to the government. The decision was to lead to massive loss of land within the King Country.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, D. M. Beere Collection
Reference: 1/2-096175; G
by Daniel Beere
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.