So, perhaps no surprises here, but I am starting with the land. I am so fascinated by the historical maps of the area. This map of the Southern Portion of Southland from 1865 is published with thanks to the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives, Ref: A0001 S00100019. You can take a closer look here. Bush stood where many parts of the business district are now. In the Invercargill CBD the Ōtepuni creek and the Waihōpai river weave their way across the edges of the developing city. A larger-than-present-day bay sits at the head of the New River Estuary, with the ‘Riverton Road’ running around the edge of what is now Bay Road.
