Chart of Kaipara Harbour by Thomas Wing

In this episode Sue Berman talks to map librarian Katrina Laan about a taonga from the heritage collection - Chart of the entrance to Kaipara Harbour, drawn by Captain Thomas Wing, January, 1836. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/maps/id/1896/rec/1 Thomas Wing (1810-1888), master mariner, cartographer, harbourmaster and pilot, was a notable figure in New Zealand’s early European history. Wing acquired his maritime knowledge during his youth in Essex, England. He arrived in New Zealand in August 1832 as a crew member on the Fortitude, which was part owned by his cousin Samuel Stephenson, and by J. R. Clendon, who had a trading base at Okiato. From 1832 to 1834 he journeyed around the northern coast of New Zealand, and to Port Jackson as mate of the Fortitude, acquiring a good knowledge of New Zealand waters. In 1834, Stephenson and Clendon appointed Wing master of their new schooner, the Fanny, which had been built at Hokianga. The Fanny was chartered in January 1836 by Rev. William White of the Wesleyan mission at Mangungu to take a group and establish further missions. At White’s request, Wing sailed the Fanny into Kaipara Harbour on 6 January 1836 - possibly the first European to do so - and drew the first known survey sketch chart of its complicated entrance way, which is on display in this case. References: https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/maps/id/1211/rec/1 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/maps/id/1751/rec/1 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/maps/id/1182/rec/1