Travels of Hochstetter and Haast in New Zealand 1858-1960. By Mike Johnston, and Sasha Nolden, Published by Nikau Press, 2011 first edition 336 pages

Hardcover in very good condition

From the cover: When Ferdinand Hochstetter arrived in New Zealand in December 1858 as the geologist on the Austrian Novara Expedition, New Zealand was a 'vibrant young colony holding much that was still new to science". Joined by his friend Julius Haast, he ventured into the wilds of the North Island and the rugged Nelson backcountry. Their journey resulted in the last great narratives of colonial exploration and a record of many new sights and discoveries. In defining the foundations of New Zealand geology, Hochstetter has left a remarkable legacy In 1859, Hochstetter, with his countryman Julius Haast, travelled by foot, horseback and canoe deep into the North Island’s interior to the volcanic zone. Hochstetter recorded a dramatic account of all he saw, including the remarkable Pink and White Terraces. He also vividly documented his encounters with many Maori along the way, from high chief to mailman. Whether describing his mediating between warring clans or arguments over Sunday observance and wedding feast protocols, he delivered an engaging account of Maori life in the Waikato in the last years of peace. As well as ground-breaking work around Auckland and the Coromandel, Hochstetter looked at minerals wherever he went, be they gold, copper, chromite or coal. Through his outstanding ability to see the whole picture, he arrived at a clear understanding of New Zealand’s structure, which he set out in a brilliant series of geological maps.