First Four Ships
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The First Four Ships refers to the four sailing vessels chartered by the Canterbury Association which left Plymouth, England, in September 1850 to transport the first English settlers to new homes in Canterbury, New Zealand. The colonists or settlers who arrived on the first four ships are known as the Canterbury Pilgrims.
Passengers disembarking from Cressy. In the background are Lyttelton town and other ships riding at anchor in Port Victoria, December 1850
Surviving immigrants from the first six ships celebrate 75 years in Christchurch (Godley Statue, 1925)
Banks Peninsula
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Banks Peninsula is a peninsula of volcanic origin on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It has an area of approximately 1,150 square kilometres (440 sq mi) and encompasses two large harbours and many smaller bays and coves. The South Island's largest city, Christchurch, is immediately north of the peninsula.
Banks Peninsula and Christchurch, in a 2021 NASA satellite photo
Banks Peninsula, with Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō on the right and Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora in the background
European ships, possibly French, in Akaroa in the early 19th century
Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula with storm clouds overhead (December 2020)