Sarah Mathew Explorer Journalist

Description

Published to mark the 175th anniversary of the founding of Auckland. For the first time, Sarah Mathew's story as a respected, tough-minded, steadfast pioneer is told in full, recognising her invaluable contribution to New Zealand's early history. In March 1840, she arrived in the Bay of Islands, joining husband Felton Mathew, newly appointed New Zealand's first Surveyor-General. Adventurous and fit, they embarked on a perilous two-month voyage south in a 46ft cutter to identify a harbour suitable for Governor Hobson's first capital. By sail and on foot they covered hundreds of miles from Whangarei to the Firth of Thames. On 18 September 1840, Sarah was the only woman ashore for the flag-raising ceremony and regatta celebrating the birth of Auckland. She planned to make her home on the shores of the chosen harbour, the beautiful Waitemata, but fate decreed otherwise. Felton's career faltered, and his health declined. Widowed young, loyal to Felton in life and death, Sarah eventually made three voyages around Cape Horn.

Tessa Duder is one of our best-known writers. In writing Sarah Mathew she has had access to previously undiscovered material and has been able to draw on the considerable resources of the Sir George Grey Special Collections held at Auckland Libraries. She has crossed the Tasman under sail, lived as an expatriate wife and written several books on Auckland. She has long been interested in Sarah Mathew as an under-recognised figure in Auckland's 175-year history.