Story: Early mapping
Captain Thomas Wing, master of the schoonerFanny, drew this 1836 chart. He charted several North Island harbours from 1835 to 1844, while working for the traders Clendon and Stephenson. The sandbars that still make the Kaipara Harbour difficult to enter are clearly depicted. The text notes that the tidal currents were very strong, particularly on an ebb (outgoing) tide and that entry should only be attempted at slack water or flood (incoming) tide.
Using this item
Auckland Council Libraries − Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau
Reference: NZ Map 4613
Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
How to cite this page
Melanie Lovell-Smith, Early mapping – Traders, whalers, missionaries: 1800–1840, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/10781/kaipara-harbour (accessed 28 October 2025).
Story by Melanie Lovell-Smith, published 1 March 2009.