On 31 January 1770 at Motuara Island in Totaranui (Queen Charlotte Sound), Captain James Cook claimed the South Island of New Zealand in the name of George III. It is said that a post was carried to the highest point, the Union Jack was raised, and a bottle of wine was promptly opened.

In January 1920 a memorial was erected to commemorate this event in colonial history. Yet the area had long been a significant site for Māori. At the southern tip of Motuara Island is smaller Hippa Island which held a pre-European Pā, and the area in general was an important place for trading (including trade with Cook and his crew).

As seen in this image, Motuara Island was burned off around the beginning of the twentieth century. The site was used to graze sheep and was later used as an experimental Angora goat farm. However the island has regenerated over the last 70 years to a low forest, and is now home to a variety of rare native species. Motuara Island attracts bird lovers from all over the world for this very reason.

The image itself was taken by Russell Duncan on 30 March 1902, and was later used in a School Journal publication (the original is held by the Alexander Turnbull Library). It shows an unidentified man with a cat on his lap, seated amongst tree stumps recently cleared away.

Archives Reference: AAAD 699 Box 23/i

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