Journey to New Edinburgh Documentary Episodes 5 and 6

175 years ago, on March 23 1848, the immigrant ship John Wickliffe arrived at Koputai Port Chalmers carrying 97 settlers from England and Scotland looking to make a new life in what we now know as Ōtepoti Dunedin.

These episodes take a look at how the establishment of a provincial government in 1853 saw Dunedin slowly get back on track. Immigration was revived on a much-expanded scale and surveying and mapping began to open up Otago’s vast inland areas for closer settlement. The resulting surge in development of sheep farming also saw Highland Scots arrive in Otago in increasing numbers. Their specialised skills in sheep management were now in high demand.

Developed by Toitū Otago Settlers Museum with support from the Otago Settlers Association, this documentary series traces the footsteps of Otago’s early European pioneers from its genesis in Scotland through to the challenging realities the settlers faced when they arrived.

10.30am and 1.30pm, Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 June
Toitū Auditorium
Free
(Run time: 50 minutes)