Personal details
Full Name:
- Charles Heaphy
Lifetime:
- 1820–3 Aug 1881

The multi-faceted Charles Heaphy made quite an impact on colonial New Zealand as an artist, explorer, soldier and colonial administrator. He was the first colonial soldier to win the Victoria Cross.
Read more...Events In History
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11 February 1864Charles Heaphy earns Victoria Cross
Recommended for a Victoria Cross after rescuing a soldier under fire at Waiari, near Pirongia, Charles Heaphy was given the decoration in 1867. Read more...
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19 May 1846Brunner, Kehu and Heaphy reach Māwhera pā
This journey was part of Thomas Brunner's epic 1846-48 exploration of the South Island. He was guided by Kehu of Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri and accompanied by Charles Heaphy, a draftsman and artist with the New Zealand Company. Read more...
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17 August 1839New Zealand Company ship Tory arrives
The sailing ship Tory dropped anchor in Queen Charlotte Sound to pick up fresh water, food and wood before proceeding to Port Nicholson (Wellington Harbour). Read more...
Related keywords
- explorers
- thomas brunner
- battle of waiari
- waikato wars
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- edward jerningham wakefield
- william wakefield
- wellington harbour
- kohukohu
- mt taranaki
- art
- art history
- aoraki
- ngai tahu
- wellington city
- pencarrow head
- ruapekapeka attack
- te ruki kawiti
- maori pa
- northern war
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- surveyors
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Main image: The fight at the 2nd parapet at Waiari
Charles Heaphy’s sketch of the fight at the 2nd Parapet, Waiari, 11 February 1864. This illustration shows six European soldiers on a small hilltop, repulsing an attack by 13 Māori, several of whom have been killed.