1875, Julius Vogel: Migration boom

Sir Julius Vogel, one of New Zealand's daring leaders. (Alexander Turnbull Library)

From 1874-1875 about 75,000 people migrated to New Zealand, mostly as part of a bold immigration and public works scheme - mainly building railways - started by colonial politician Julius Vogel in 1870.

The scheme was financed by borrowing millions of pounds and the audacity of it shocked many, especially those nervous about the debt.

They feared the colony would start by borrowing for public works and end up borrowing to pay the interest.

It has been said it was Vogel who taught New Zealanders how to borrow, and the comment was not meant kindly.

But in 1875, when the Vogel scheme was at its peak, the Herald was in no doubt about its importance.

"The prosperity of New Zealand at the present time cannot be said to be due to adventitious or extraneous circumstances," it said.

"It is brought about in this wise: Every ten miles of railway opened up brings the produce of tens of thousands of acres of land nearer to a market, or opens them up for the growth of necessary crops.

"In the midst of agricultural districts, towns are formed which increase with the productiveness of the districts."

Despite contemporary worries, with hindsight there is no doubting the extraordinary success of the Vogel scheme.

According to Donald Harman Akenson in Half the World from Home, the 15 years of the scheme accounted for 30 per cent of the net migration to New Zealand between 1860 and 1950. More than anything, it determined the ethnic mix of the country's Anglo-Celtic majority.

For his boldness and his vision, and his real influence on shaping the nation we know today, Julius Vogel is the New Zealander of the Year for 1875.

From the Herald archives:
The importance of immigration, New Zealand Herald, 18 February 1875

Vogel raises £4 million loan, New Zealand Herald, 10 March 1875

'Vogel the first to think big', NZ Herald online, 30 December 2000

Further reading:
Biography of Julius Vogel, Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand