The Empire City

Songs of Wellington – Book and CD

Charles Fleming Hears the Kokako sing

The Fleming family holidayed at Rotorua during the 1930s. This was where Charles Fleming first heard the kokako sing as he cycled along a bush track on the Mamaku plateau. ‘Just before leaving the bush I heard an unknown call. A most fascinating arpeggio in a flute like clear tone – high. It was repeated […]

The Rocky Barron Hills

In May 1826, Thomas Shepard, a young draftsman stood on the deck of  Captain James Herd’s barque Rosana and drew a quick sketch of the South Coast and the entrance to Wellington Harbour. He described it like this.  “Half the width is full of rocks so the entrance is rather dangerous, left side of the […]