Mount Peel Station 1856-1982: a historical study of the development of a high-country run in Canterbury, New Zealand

Abstract

Mount Peel Station is located in South Canterbury, in the Rangitata River valley, about 6.5km from Peel Forest Park and about 60km from Timaru, the nearest city. It occupies the sunny, north easterly slopes of the range of hills about Mount Peel, from the Rangitata River up to a level of about 1600m.

Mount Peel Station is one of the few large stations in New Zealand to have remained under the ownership of the same family. It was established in 1856 by J.B.A. Acland and C.G. Tripp, and since this date it has been controlled by four generations of the Acland family.

The size of the station has changed dramatically during this time; at one time covering about 100,000 hectares, under joint ownership with Acland and Tripp. The station today is only a fraction this size, occupying about 8,000 hectares and to be further divided in the future, with nearly half of this going to the Waikari Hills run. It will, however, still be in the family as the Waikari Hills run is managed by Mark Acland, the brother of John Acland who manages Mount Peel Station at present. (Refer to MAP 2)

This dissertation looks at the history of Mount Peel Station and especially at the historical development of the agricultural landscape. Part I looks at the natural history of the Mount Peel region, while, Part II concentrates on the factors which have been instrumental in the development of the visible landscape in the area. Part III then goes on to discuss the development of the homestead area specifically, including the Church of the Holy Innocents, the homestead itself and its gardens.

In Part IV there is a small section of photographs from some of the Acland family albums. Where possible, some of the landscape photographs have been taken from similar angles to illustrate the change which has taken place over the last 100 years or so.

Throughout the history of Mount Peel Station different practices have helped to create the agricultural landscape present today, and which, as part of the whole rural landscape, is so important to the increasing urban populations as a visual resource.