Hear the story of the first formal European settlement in the South Island and of those hardy pioneer settlers who arrived on these shores during the 1830s-1850s. 

There will be personal tales of endurance, entrepreneurship, successes, interaction with local Māori and community interaction. 

Gravesites included are those of whalers, early farmers, the settlers of the French ship Comte de Paris and English ship Monarch, and others who made significant contributions to the establishment of Akaroa.

Hear about the work of the Comte de Paris Descendant Group and the Akaroa Cemeteries Group, to improve the state of the cemeteries since the 2010 earthquakes.

The tour, taken by Linda Sunderland, descended from both the French and early English settlers in Akaroa, will commence in the Catholic cemetery, moving to the Dissenters cemetery, along the path the Garden of Tane, and into the Anglican cemetery where it will finish.

Period costume will be worn, a microphone used, and leaflets available for participants. Each tour will be limited to 20 participants.

A reasonable level of fitness is required for walking on hillsides and wear suitable shoes with good grip.

Donations kindly accepted to restore earthquake damaged headstones.

Photo: Akaroa Museum Collection