Pioneer Scots
The ship Blenheim set sail from Greenock, Scotland on August 25, 1840, with 197 Scots, most in family groups, arriving in Port Nicholson [Wellington] at Kaiwharawhara on December 27, 1840.
These Scots were part of early settlement in New Zealand - building the road between Wellington and Petone, and
working in many of the early exploration and surveying parties until land became available. From there they developed and farmed land mainly around the lower North Island, some opened business according to their skills, while others went further afield.
To mark this 175 years of settlement in New Zealand arrangements are in place to hold dinners In Auckland on August 22 and Wanganui on August 25 to mark the Blenheim's departure, and a picnic at Kaiwharawhara Park in Wellington on December 27 to mark the arrival.
Visit the web page for the information on the settlers at www.blenheim175.wordpress.com.
For further information contact:
Wanganui dinner: Ewen & Roz Grant 06 3273861 tullochgorum@xtra.co.nz
Auckland dinner: Norman Cameron, 09 33728442 norman.cameron37@gmail.com
Kaiwharawhara picnic: Hugh McPhail 04 4790951 blenheim175@gmail.com
EWEN GRANT
Wanganui
