The Promised Land

By Nick Dalgety

Karamea and early settlement:

I draw on a recent trip to see a good friend in Karamea, a small town tucked away in the upper reaches of the South Island’s West Coast.

I stayed at my friend’s old family home on the south side of the Karamea River; now called Arapito (“end of the path”) yet originally named The Promised Land! The northern side of the river was called The Land of Promise.

European settlers first arrived in Karamea in November 1874 under a government-funded “Special Settlement” scheme. Today, the area remains a quiet rural location known for dairying and as a gateway to the Kahurangi National Park.

The school established in The Promised Land (Arapito) in 1883

Karamea; a window into the promised land of old and the one to come:

Lets consider the promised land brought to life in the Bible narrative?

I will complete this story in the coming days.

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Nick Dalgety Nelson NZ

About the Author

Nick Dalgety is a Kiwi born in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. In recent times my wife and I have made Nelson in the top of the South Island home.

My day job involves working with people making a living from land and sea. In my spare time my passion is taking pictures that celebrate what is iconic about Aotearoa New Zealand. Inevitably this involves discovering amazing people, in their special place making and doing what they do best.

When travelling overseas, I often seek out similar experiences. I created Provenance101 to share these experiences.

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