Anton Maurer

Auckland is experiencing a new wave of unprecedented growth. Perspective can be found in the writings of people present during the time of the initial land purchase from Ngāti Whātua in 1840:

As we gained the summit of the ridge and turned to look seaward we stood entranced at the panorama revealed - stood entranced in mute amazement at the wonderful beauty of the glorious landscape. Yes, we had come on this excursion site-hunting! We were going to purchase a modest tract of country and supply impatient intending settlers with town, suburban, and country lands to their hearts’ content, or rather to the extent that their purses would give power of paying.

Reference:

Campbell, John Logan. (1881). Poenamo, Sketches of the early days of New Zealand, romance and reality of antipodean life in the infancy of a new colony. London & Edinburgh: Williams & Norgate.