Spanish alone was understood or spoken here; our friend, the countryman, stuck to us most nobly, he understood us not a bit better than the rest but saw that we were in distress and would not desert us.

He took pains to show Māori that he observed the terms of the Treaty of Waitangi assuring them that their land rights would be fully recognised. He oversaw the colony during a difficult formative period. Here he planted a huge array of exotic trees and shrubs acclimatised many bird and animal species and amassed a celebrated collection of rare books and manuscripts artworks and curiosities and artefacts from the Māori people over whom he had ruled.

Sir George Grey KCB (14 April 1812 – 19 September 1898) was a soldier explorer Governor of South Australia twice Governor of New Zealand Governor of Cape Colony (South Africa) the 11th Premier of New Zealand and a writer.