European take on young NZ

An Indescribable Beauty: Letters home to German From Wellington, NZ (1859-1862), by Friedrich August Krull (Awa Press, RRP $38):

A century and a half ago, a young German man set sail on a four-month journey on the Swedish ship the Equator to begin a new life in New Zealand.

Friedrich Krull arrived in New Zealand as the country was heading for the New Zealand wars.

Krull was keen to experience the traditional Maori way of life, so on his travels he spent time with the likes of Tamihana te Rauparaha and Matene te Whiwhi and travelled with Honiana Te Puni-kokopu, Te Atiawa paramount chief.

Germans were the second largest group of settlers in New Zealand during the 19th Century and they settled throughout the country, from Houhara and Awanui in Northland to Gore and Germantown here in Southland.

This book – a compilation of Krull’s letters home – offers a fascinating look at this time in the history of our young country.

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