The New Zealand Disease

Blog

May 15, 2025

The Wesleyan missionary the Rev John Bumby had a sadly short life in New Zealand, arriving in the Hokianga in 1839 with his beekeeping sister Mary, and drowning with most of the Māori crew close to Tiritiri Matangi in the Hauraki Gulf, on what seemed to be a fine winter’s day in the following year. He wasn’t alone in loosing his life in New Zealand’s often turbulent waters, a syndrome that came to be known as the New Zealand disease or illness. You can read about Bumby and others in the attached article.


More articles

Christmas day in Canton, 1793

22nd Dec 2025 - Blog

What was Christmas day like in Canton in 1793? The great British Embassy to the Qianlong Emperor in Peking was

Read more...

Was Thomas Gilbert our first conscientious objector?

21st Apr 2023 - Blog

Amidst the rampant militarism of the 19th century empire, we don’t hear much about those who objected to serving in

Read more...