Ferdinand von Hochstetters November 1860 Folio of New Zealand survey data and the location of the Pink and White Terraces

Abstract

Alfred Rex Bunn and Sascha Nolden

This research utilises Ferdinand von Hochstetter’s unpublished November 1860 Folio of survey data from the first major terrestrial topographical and geological survey in New Zealand. The Folio data enable reconstruction of the survey across the North Island to Lake Rotomahana, with unique bearings to the lost Pink and White Terraces. Prepared for cartographic production in Gotha, Germany, the Folio features marginalia by cartographer August Petermann and Arnim Welcker. It validates Hochstetter’s 1859 field diaries and Rotomahana Basin topography navigating to the Terraces. The Folio survey coordinates indicate the Pink and White Terrace springs lie buried beneath the shores of Lake Rotomahana. The Folio locations are consistent with earlier survey Diary iterations. They triangulate with the Basin topography and align with Mātauranga Māori. Complementary with recently published research, the Folio data provides historical primary source evidence for the search for the lost Terraces at Lake Rotomahana.

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