Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

"Owing to its abundance, and to the edible, as well as tolerably nutritious, nature of its roots, no man can ever starve in New Zealand who is able to gather fern; but that it is not a pleasant food may be inferred from the fact that no native eats fern-roots when he can get potatoes. Where the fern grows thickly, and high, the soil is known to be rich; where it is small, and scarce, the land is not worth cultivating"

On way to Waimate "We passed by a native village, around which were many acres of cultivated ground with maize and potatoes in a thriving state. They were planted in little heaps of earth (like Mole-hills), at exact distances, laid out by line. For planting the sweet potato (cumera), a kind of yam (taro), or the lately introduced potato, a wooden stake is used as a substitute for a spade, in preapring the ground. The natives acknowledged themselves much indebted to the white men for pigs and potatoes; but they speak angrily of the 'liquid fire' - and the diseases which they brought.

Near Waimate: "Abundance of the flax plant was growing on the low moist ground, and also on higher, apparently dry soil. I was told that the flax plant does not like a swamp, but thrives where the ground is rather moist."

Nets made by splitting leaves into long, narrow shreds, not scraped or peeled. For smaller cordage, leaves scraped by shell, which removes the upper or green part and leaves the strong white fibres, that run longitudinally along the under side.

Describes NZ cordage as being so much liked when first introduced, but now of inferior quality. Does not endure frequent bending. Fitzroy suggests it is the way white men make the rope that is at fault. He compares a muka garment he has had for 16 years, "withstanding a great deal of washing and wear". "Surely , it can only be becuase the material has not been properly treated by those who are, perhaps, little acquainted with its nature, with the best season for cutting it, and with other peculiarities probably well known to natives"

"We saw several nets for fishing placed in several heaps, each upon a small platform, at the top of a post eight or ten feet in height; in a similar manner yams and potatoes are preserved from the rotting influence of the damp earth. The nets are made with the split leaves of the 'flax' plant, not merely with the fibres, and last for many years; both they and the food, thus exposed to the air , are thatched like the houses, with the broad leaves of an iris-like rush, or flag, which grows abundantly by the river sides, and in marshy places"

On 21 December 1835, the Beagle under the command of Captain Robert Fitzroy visited northern New Zealand, anchoring between Kororareka (Russell) and Paihia. The account describes: physical features of Maori, canoes, discovery of human bones, the striking beauty of the pohutukawa, fernroot; the printer's building. Fitzroy and Darwin visited British Resident Mr Busby. Visit to Kororareka. Houses, hangi pits, burial platforms described. Yam and potato grounds mentioned. Description of the village of Kawakawa. Christmas Day service described. Fitzroy intervenes in disputes between local Maori and whaling ship crews.

On 28 December, Fitzroy and Baker go to the missionary settlement at Waimate, then to Kerikeri. The Beagle left NZ on 31 December.