Isaac Featherston - 'Petatone'
by John Martin
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Isaac Featherston was at the heart of some of the most significant developments in New Zealand from the 1840s colonisation by the New Zealand Company to the abolition of the provinces in 1876. Doctor, newspaper editor and politician, he advocated for the provinces against the domination of central government, while also being primarily responsible for the relocation of the capital from Auckland to Wellington in 1865.
Known amongst Māori as 'Petatone' and with a reputation for directness and honesty, he was at the very centre of Pakeha-Māori relations, and in his 1857 official portrait is depicted alongside leading rangatira Te Puni and Wi Tako.
Author: John Martin
ISBN: 9781776922970
Publisher: Te Herenga Waka University Press
Published: 09/10/2025
Format: Paperback / softback
About the Author
Dr. John E. Martin has researched and written about New Zealand history since the 1980s, teaching in universities and employed as an historian in the public sector. He was parliamentary historian in the 2000s and 2010s. His publications include rural and labour history, the history of science and engineering, and social and political history. His books include The Forgotten Worker (1990), People, Politics and Power Stations (1991 and 1998), Holding the Balance (1996), The House: New Zealand's House of Representatives, 1854-2004 (2004), Parliament's Library (2008), Honouring the Contract (2010), Illuminating Our World (2017), A Colonist's Gaze (2018) and most recently Empire City: Wellington Becomes the Capital of New Zealand (2022).