NZ Transport

Explores the fascinating relationship between transport and NZ society. Five eras, the waka, sail, steam, motor and the jet, are looked at and the impact of each on society and it's development described.   

GP Publications, Wellington, 1996. Softback. 315 pages. SECONDHAND

ISBN 0723305501 An account of Captain John Stokes and his crew sent to New Zealand by the British Admiralty to make a detailed survey of the country’s harbours and coastline, 1848-1851.

Whitcoulls, Christchurch, 1978. Hardback with dust-jacket. 190 pages. SECONDHAND

The full story of the mapping by maritime survey of New Zealand coastal waters from the charts of Abel Tasman to the RNZN survey vessels of the 1960s. Published 1969.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington. Hardback with dust jacket. 277 pages. SECONDHAND

Shipwrecks, New Zealand Disasters 1795-1950. Published 1951, second edition.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1951. Hardback. 520 pages. SECONDHAND

New Zealand Shipwrecks 1795-1975, 4th edition 1972.  A comprehensive reference of New Zealand shiping disasters including the Opheus, Elingamite, Manuka, Wairarapa, Wiltshire, Niagra, Wangenella and Wahine.

A.H and A.W Reed Ltd., Wellington, 1972. Hardback with dust-jacket. 448 Pages. SECONDHAND

H.M.S. Orpheus was wrecked on a shoal at the entrance to Manukau Harbour in 1863. 189 lives were lost making this the worst maritime disaster in New Zealand history. This is the full account based on the personal narratives of 3 people involved. 

Cassell NZ, Auckland, 1975. Hardback with dust jacket. 157 pages. SECONDHAND

A full account of New Zealand's worst ever shipwreck that occured on the Manukau Bar in Feburary, 1863 when H.M.S. Orpheus went down with the loss of 186 lives, including the Commodore of the Australasian division Royal Navy.

Whakatane & District Historical Society, 1987. Softback. 243 pages. SECONDHAND

'Shipwreck off the New Zealand coast and the excitement of a modern search for gold’. The successful salvage of the Elingamite treasure from the sea off the lonely Three King Islands. 

Hodder & Stoughton, Auckland, 1969. Hardback with dust jacket. 192 pages, illustrations. SECONDHAND

This is the great classic tale of whales and whaling as seen by a crewman. It describes a round the world voyage by the 'Cachalot' which spent several months in Australian and New Zealand waters pursuing whales. First published in 1899 this is a facsimile reprint of the 1906 edition. Slight damage to DJ.

Capper Press, Christchurch, 1976. Hard back with dust jacket. 375 pages. SECONDHAND

This account of SW Pacific whaling discusses the whales, whalers, ships, crews, uses for whale products, and whaling from shore stations. It places the industry in its social context and show the role played by whaling in the development of New Zealand.

Otago University Press, Dunedin, 1982. Hardback with dust jacket. 396 pages. SECONDHAND

Describes the rise and fall of this first global industry and the men who made it. Ships from Britain, France, America, Australia and New Zealand scoured the southern oceans and lived in a closed off world of great pressue and great reward.

Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 1999. Hardback with dust jacket. 393 pages. SECONDHAND

The first account of southern ship building in the Catlins and on Stewart Island in the days of sail. These unique ships traded around the coasts of New Zealand and ventured across the Tasman sea. The book is illustrated with shipping notices, photographs, maps, advertisments and paintings.

Catlins Wildlife Ecotours, Owaka, 2009. Softback. 262 pages, with CD. SECONDHAND

Log of the Huia, revised and extended edition, Auckland, Collins, 1973.

Hardback with dust-jacket, pictorial endpapers, illustrated, black and white photographs, 26 cm, 147 pages. SECONDHAND

Doubling Cape Horn in a small boat is a great challenge. This is the story of some New Zealand adventurers who accepted the challenge and sailed the veteran Chilean cutter 'Rayo' from Punta Arenas in the Magellan Straits, around Cape Horn and through some of the historic channels of Tierra Del Fuego. Slight chips to foot of dust jacket.

Morris/Cobb Publications, Auckland, 1974. Hardback with dust jacket. 102 pages. SECONDHAND

New Zealander Gaby writes of his years at sea, starting in 1910, on tall masted, square rigged sailing ships and of the men who sailed them across the southern ocean and around Australasia.

Antipodean Publishers Pty Ltd., Sydney, 1974. Hardback with dust jacket. 287 pages. SECONDHAND

Union Line A Short History of the Union Steam Ship Company of  New Zealand Ltd 1875 to 1951. The story of a shipping company of worldwide scope that was founded and managed in New Zealand.

Hardback,illustrated, 148 pages. SECONDHAND

Sailing Ships of the Tasman Sea. Jack Churchhouse describes the sailing ships owned by J.J. Craig, a prominent Auckland merchant. Named after members of his family, this fleet of ships established records for fast passages between New Zealand and Australia. Signed by the author.

Millwood Press. Hardback with dust-jacket, illustrated, 164 pages. SECONDHAND

From 1875 onwards the ships of the Union Steamship Company were regarded as "Queens of the Seas." They offered passengers excellent service in accommodation, entertainment and cuisine. This book features 36 of these ships. Published in 1982.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1982. Hardback with dust jacket. 238 pages. SECONDHAND

Adventures on the coastal trade with the Northern Steamship Company carrying passengers and cargo to isolated settlements scattered around the creeks and bays of north Auckland as well as south to Wanganui, Whakatane and the Coromandel.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1977. Hardback with dust jacket. 201 pages. SECONDHAND

The history of the Nelson based Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company Ltd., from the formative period of the 1860s up to the date of publication when there were six modern ships.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1967. Hardback with dust jacket. 186 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company and of its relationship with big business. A unique record of a distinctive part of New Zealand's maritime past. Reprinted 1988.

NZ Ship and Marine Society, Wellington. Hardback with dust jacket. 96 pages. NEW

The story of MV Tuhoe launched in 1919 and now preserved by the Kaiapoi Rivertown Trust.

Kaiapoi Rivertown Trust, 2009. Softback. 128 pages. SECONDHAND

Illustrates the development of fleet of the NZ Steamship Co. Ltd., and Federal Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. from 1912 and arranged chronologically. Also included are ships of Avenue Shipping Co. Ltd.

Amadeus Press Ltd., Huddersfield, UK. Softback. 88 pages. SECONDHAND

Passenger Ships of Australia and New Zealand by Peter Plowman. Vol 1 covers the period 1876 to 1912 while Vol 2 describes 1913 to 1980. A comprehensive survey of passenger and commercial vessels that sailed between New Zealand  and Australia, the Pacific and to Britain. 2 volume set.

William Collins. Hardbacks with sunned dust-jackets, illustrated. SECONDHAND

Strait Crossing, the Ferries of the Cook Strait through time.

Trans Press. Hardback, numerous illustrations, 256 pages. NEW

A history of marine engineering in New Zealand and the role of the institue in maritime affairs. Published 2007.

NZ Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, Auckland. Hardback with dust jacket. 271 pages. SECONDHAND.

A history of marine engineering in Australia from the introduction of the steam engine and coal fired boilers, through the changes to oil firing, steam turbine propulsion and the early diesel. Published 1987.

Turton & Armstrong, Sydney. Softback. 269 pages. SECONDHAND

A fascinating look at the history of the Port Line from the 1913 amalgamation of the Tyser, Milburn, Corry and Royden interests to form the Commonwealth and Dominion Line (later Port Line) that joined the Cunard group in 1916. The book also details the history of Associated Container Transportation (Aust) Ltd., the Crusader Shipping Company, the Montreal Australia New Zealand Line Ltd. and other Port Line associated companies.

New Zealand Ship & Marine Society Ltd., Wellington, 2006. Hardback with dust jacket. 376 pages. SECONDHAND. 

For the first time a book that tells the story of the work and lives of merchant seafarers, often in their own words. The harsh realities of shipboard life, the colourful lore and language of the sea, the rise of unionism, the waterfront and crew culture all examined in detail.

Te Papa Press, Wellington, 2001. Softback. 172 pages. SECONDHAND

Illustrates the inception and growth of private enteprise tramways, the consolidation under urban municipalities, and the final days before the motor bus.

Grantham House Publishing, Wellington, 1985. Hardback with dust jacket. 112 pages. SECONDHAND

The absorbing story of passenger transport in the urban streets of New Zealand. An evocative text and an exceptional collection of photographs. First published in 1973 this is the revised and updated edition. DJ slightly sunned.

Grantham House Publishing, Wellington, 1993. Hardback with dust jacket. 260 pages. SECONDHAND

Grand Old Days of Steam by W.W. Stewart. A pictorial history of steam trains in New Zealand, illustrated with photographs from the author's collection. Includes North and South Island steam trains, the Wellington and Manawatu Railway locomotives, the Rimutakas, cattle trucks and coal trains, railway stations, troop trains, royal trains, sheds and shops and the Streamliners. Published by A.H. & A. W. Reed, Wellington.

Hardback with dust-jacket, illustrated, 126 pages. SECONDHAND.

Footplate The Victorian Engineman's New Zealand is a saga of steam trains from 1863 to 1901. Covers lines from Christchurch to Ferrymead , Invercargill, Wellington and the Far North. Dust-jacket sunned but otherwise fine.

A.H. & A.W. . IllustrReed. Hardbackated. 239 Pages. SECONDHAND.

New Zealand's railways traverse a rugged landscape, bush covered hills, extensive alpine regions, deep ravines, and swirling rivers. They cross more than 2,000 bridges, one for every 2km of track, and some 180 tunnels. The author unfolds this remarkable story 'the great New Zealand adventure', the building and operation of a spectacular railway system.

Grantham House, Wellington, 1987. Hardback with dust jacket. 150 pages. SECONDHAND. 

Illustrated with over 300 photographs this book recalls to life the changing face of the railways over 140 years. The good old days of steam receive rightful coverage, but the contribution of modern motive power is not neglected.

Harper Collins, Auckland, 1990. Softback. 224 pages. SECONDHAND

Journeys from the Golden Age of New Zealand Railways. A celebration of a time when rail journeys provided excitement, companionship and a certain romance.

Exisle Publishing, Auckland, 2011. Hardback with dust jacket. 224 pages. NEW

Illustrated exploration of NZ's rail history from pioneering days when railways opened up the country: through the long 'golden age' when rail was central to daily life; and the last half century of decline.

Random House, Auckland, 2007. Softback. 251 pages. SECONDHAND

The completion of the Main Trunk Railway to the centre of the North Island was one of the boldest and most difficult surveying and construction ventures ever undertaken in New Zealand. This is the complete story of the surveying, construction, politics and social history of the line.

Collin Publishers Ltd., Auckland, 1978. Hardback with dust jacket. 224 pages. SECONDHAND

This book is about the men who built and maintained the Midland Line in Canterbury and the women who lived in the railway houses. A great social history of the Midland Line. Signed by the author.

Yuilleen White. Softcovers. Illustrated. 125 Pages. NEW.

A history of the railway through the Southern Alps illustrated with historic photographs and modern colour photographs of trains in the scenic grandeur of the Alps.

Industrial Publishing Ltd., Wellington, 1987. Softback. 64 pages. SECONDHAND

Churchman describes the route of the Coastal Pacific Express as the story of the northern part of the South Island Main Trunk. It took 84 years to complete this 350 km route which traverses the North Canterbury hill country, the Kaikoura Coast and Marlborough. Numerous colour and back and white photographs.

IPL Books. Softcovers. Illustrated. 64 Pages. SECONDHAND 

This is a memoir and a history of the once large and busy railway workshops at Addington, Christchurch that were closed and dismantled in the early 1990's. It is well illustrated in colour and black and white with many photographs. A book for anyone with an interest in New Zealand railway history.

NZ Railway & Locamotive Society Ltd. Softback. 112 pages. NEW. 

Great New Zealand Railway Journeys. 

Exisle Publishing. Hardback with dust-jacket, colour illustrations, 176 pages. NEW 

The history of the locomotives owned by NZR. Numbering over one thousand they were enormously varied, ranging from a little over five tons to almost 148 tons, and from the occasional failure to trend setting designs of international significance. Largest collection of photographs ever assembled in a single volume.

The New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, Wellington, 2011. Hardback with dust jacket. 336 pages. NEW

The colourful past of a distinctive branch railway, constructed without the aid of diging machinery, in a little known area of the country.

Catlins Historical Society, Owaka, 1996. Softback. 80 pages. SECONDHAND

The history of New Zealand motoring during the pioneering and formative phase 1898-1919. Includes details of several NZ built cars, social history of motoring, licensing, automobile associations and lots of photographs.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1971. Hardback with dust jacket. 230 pages. SECONDHAND

A self-taught, backyard mechanic from a remote New Zealand farm, Richard Pearse was not only among the first to leave the ground in a heavier-than-air machine, but was conducting his experiments at the same time as the Wright brothers. He acomplished a powered takeoff in his own aircraft, possibly as early as 31 March 1903. First published in 1973 this is the revised edition 1994. 

Reed Publishing Ltd., Auckland, 1994. Softback. 264 pages. SECONDHAND

An anthology of research notes, essays and ideas from the archives of C.G. Rodliffe, Auckland. Fully illustrated.

C.G. Rodliffe, Auckland, 2007. Softback. 95 pages. NEW.

The first flight strait across in 1920 led to viable regular services by 1935. This is the pioneering story of how aviation linked the two islands of New Zealand with its most important air route.

Craig Printing Co., Invercargill, 1995. Softback. 80 pages. SECONDHAND

A book about remarkable New Zealander's of all ages who love to fly. Full of interesting little known aviation stories about aircraft being flown and being restored.

Random House, Auckland, 1998. Softback. 290 pages. SECONDHAND

A total of 45 aircraft were/are missing in New Zealand. Of these, 17 are missing without trace and 12 were found from between three months and 39 years later. This is a complete account of these aircraft and the 118 lives lost. Signed by the author, 815/1500.

Adventure Air, Lyttelton, 2001. Hardback with dust jacket. 313 pages. SECONDHAND