Many streets have french names, and descendants of the original settlers still live there. The most french town in new zealand, akaroa will have you entranced with its historic buildings, magnificent harbour and passion for fine food. This book is written by kevin clark and angela pyke, sixth and seventh generation descendants of magdelaine chauvet and joseph libeau. Visit the city where streets have french names, and swim with hectors dolphins in the bay. At the end of the section on french akaroa and of the sections covering each of the. It lies on the volcanic banks peninsula, which the maori believe was formed when a hero named maui piled mountains upon a. Akaroa and the wider area have a plethora of things to do. Times are tough for the travel community right now. Akaroa museum 2020 all you need to know before you go. One hundred years later, it was moved to the akaroa township, after being replaced in 1977 by an automated light if you take a visit to this cliffside reserve youll see spectacular views and historical remnants spotting the hillside. This book looks at the elaborate french governmentbacked plans to settle and annex southern new zealand and at what the french did when they found the. French akaroa, written by retired university of canterbury academic adjunct.
Akaroa historical overview christchurch city council. By the time french settlers arrived, the treaty of waitangi between the. Its worth visiting this free museum just to watch the short videofilm of the history of akaroa gives. The french arrived in akaroa on 18 august and established a settlement. Travel by luxury coach to the charming and historic akaroa village. Then we make our way up to the historic hill top tavern with more photo opportunities and refreshments. At the akaroa cooking school we share recipes, cooking ideas and entertaining secrets for up to sixteen guests per class. The area was settled predominantly by the french and much of buicks book concerns their conflict with the british over land ownership. This free museum entry by donation is well laid out and clearly shows the interesting history of the banks peninsula and is well worth a visit. French colonisers, spying the land through their portholes last century, would dearly have liked to. It sits in an ancient volcano and is a town rich in history.
Akaroa is a small town on banks peninsula in the canterbury region of the south island of new. Akaroa cruise port an essential guide with top things to. This local meal was recommended by their guide and storyteller annette pictured below. A trading captain was apparently reading a book by an irish naturalist as he passed the inlet. Canterburys oldest town, akaroa was founded in august 1840 by french settlers. He then returned to france and gathered together some businessmen and. Climb aboard to see the worlds smallest and rarest dolphins.
Marie haley collected us at the akaroa dock and then took us on a history safari. Surrounded by natural wonders, wilderness meets the edges of this historical french settlement, providing access to your next adventure or weekend away. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. Make the most of even a short stop in akaroa on this informative tour tailormade for busy cruisers, complete with port pickup and dropoff. The area still has a french influence, reflected in many local placenames. Akaroa, community, eastern south island, new zealand. Akaroa french connection christchurch 2020 all you.
French influence in new zealand spreads beyond the planned settlement at banks peninsula, for several french navigators sailed these waters. Visit akaroa, the only french village of new zealand. An important story for those interested in new zealands colonial history and in particular the french settlement at akaroa. Complete fully revised printing, now 975 pages of family history, a huge number of never seen before photos, then and now. A biennial festival celebrating the unique culture and heritage of new zealands sole french settlement and the boutique. Akaroa was the site of an 1840 french settlement so has a unique pioneer history. The french arrived in akaroa harbour on 18 august and established a settlement centred on the presentday site of akaroa.
The french arrived in akaroa harbour on 18 august and established a. Founded by french settlers in 1840, akaroa is located in the banks peninsula of new zealand. Akaroa digitised publications christchurch city libraries. Our classes akaroa cooking school akaroa new zealand. Akaroa, nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano in canterburys banks peninsula, is unique in being the only attempted french settlement in new zealand, and it still retains an authentic french atmosphere. We have a 98% success rate with dolphin sightings and if you dont see any on your tour, you can cruise with us again for free. Canterbury is a region of spectacular beauty, from the tranquil coastline of banks peninsula to the majestic grandeur of the southern alps travel from the sea to the mountains and discover the funky city of christchurch, the historic french settlement of akaroa, and the stunning mountain village of arthurs pass national park. French settlements te ara encyclopedia of new zealand. Marie is a descendant of the first french settlers. Learn about our french history and the geology of the area creating unique wines. It is situated on the shore of french bay, inside akaroa harbour, which is a rocky inlet on the banks peninsula formed when the sea breached the erosionenlarged crater of an ancient volcano. While visiting, akaroa the only frenchfounded community in new zealand, tour members enjoyed fish and chips.
You also get to go into the nowdecommissioned court house as well as watch a short film about how the banks peninusla and akaroa came to be. On the eastern shores of new zealands south island, akaroa is a popular tourist destination with a distinctly french flair, its history steeped in legend. Giants house cafe, akaroa, christchurch canterbury. Book your tickets online for akaroa museum, akaroa. It plays host to a number of activities, restaurants and has a breathtakingly picturesque view. Our daily shuttle between akaroa and christchurch is a convient way to travel to akaroa. Takapuneke red house bay, which lies between akaroa and onuku, is. The french representative for the settlement, captain charles francois lavaud, sailed for new zealand in february 1840. Use this information to plan your best southern holiday. Today, apart from a few french street names, there remains little to show akaroas origin as a french settlement.
A toehold at akaroa french colonial aspirations in nouvellez. French akaroa by peter tremewan joseph libeau 1807 1883. Akaroa things to see and do south island new zealand. In the same year, new zealand became part of the british empire, and much of buicks account focuses on the interaction and disputes between the french and british settlers. Akaroa, the picturebook town in south island is probably. By the time french settlers arrived, the treaty of waitangi between the british crown and maori chiefs had been signed. Given that the french colonists had set out for new zealand on the assumption that they owned the land, the new zealand authorities made a grant of 30,000 acres to the nantobordelaise company, which ceded all rights to the peninsula for. Before 1840, the area of the current akaroa town was also known as wangaloa, and the subsequent french settlement was known as port louisphilippe, named after the french king of the time. Learn akaroas local history and how the akaroa harbour and surrounding banks peninsula were home to 2 extinct volcanoes, with informative commentary from your. The ships captain raised the union jack to confirm british sovereignty over the area. An easy drive southeast of christchurch, banks peninsula is the south islands most interesting volcanic feature. Peter tremewan is a retired professor of french at the university of canterbury. Come to akaroa, canterburys premier seaside resort. Akaroa is new zealands only french settlement and still enjoys a distinct french charm.
Chronicling the social and political events and their lasting ramifications, the discussion shows how communities still nurture their french heritage that attracts many tourists to the town of akaroa to this day. When someone mentions the name akaroa it immediately brings to mind a small french flavoured town by the sea, and for good reason. On cruise ship days this is a very popular tour so book early by email. The picture book town in south island is probably new zealands last french touch. Akaroa new zealand, event venues, wedding venues onuku marae. First published in wellington in 1928, this work describes the history of akaroa in the south island, a small settlement on the banks peninsula founded by french settlers in 1840. This monument, displaying a 15foot obelisk and a flagpole flying the union jack, was erected in 1898 in honor of queen victorias diamond jubilee.
In 1838 the commander of the french whaling ship cachalot made a dubious land purchase from maori on banks peninsula. We raise a defiant sesamecrusted baguette and then a styrofoam cup of pinot noir in a toast to captain jean langlois whose vision for a french colony lives on here in the piquant french flavour of akaroa nestled among the folds of banks peninsula. Akaroa and the wider area have a large number of exciting and unique experiences to offer our visitors. Akaroa is a historic french town situated 75 kilometres from christchurch, new zealand. Canterbury peninsula to peaks journey christchurch. Located within the charming and historic french settlement village of akaroa, the elegant and historic blythcliffe is a short stroll from the many excellent cafes, restaurants and local attractions. Learn akaroas local history and how the akaroa harbour and surrounding. The nantobordelaise company was formed in france with the goal of. A french descendant offers powerful insights into the dramatic race for akaroa between the french and the english to claim the south island. Things could have been very different for anglocentric new zealand. Enjoy live commentary on your climatecontrolled coach as new zealands rolling landscapes glide by. At dinner, our waiter surprised rich and gloria with a special chocolate cake to help them 7 th anniversarycongratulations to them.
It has been suggested that french interest in new zealand speeded up britains decision to annex new zealand. The place names around akaroa harbour reflect a melting pot of cultures, languages, and. Cruising with us is the perfect way to meet the amazing akaroa dolphins. There is a great amount planned for the weekend and it will be a great few days. Buy fresh from akaroa cookbook akaroa cooking school. Hms britomart arrived at akaroa, on banks peninsula, a week before a shipload of french colonists landed there. In akaroa another six children were born to joseph and magdeleine, one.