The Wellington Manawatu Railway Company Limited constructed the rail line between Wellington and Palmerston, opened in 1886, and ran it until they sold it to the Government in 1908.

Christian Petersen was an early Mauriceville wood-carrier, and is shown here transporting timber for the new homes of the settlement.

The Otaki River originates in the Tararua Range and flows for 45 km, firstly heading southwest through a valley in the Tararua Ranges. It turns northwest in the area of Otaki Forks, where it is joined by the Waiotauru River. After continuing through Otaki Gorge it reaches the Tasman Sea south of the settlement of Otaki Beach.

Members of survey party and dog on the Otaki River. The Otaki River originates in the Tararua Range and flows for 45 km, firstly heading southwest through a valley in the Tararua Ranges. It turns northwest in the area of Otaki Forks, where it is joined by the Waiotauru River. After continuing through Otaki Gorge it reaches the Tasman Sea south of the settlement of Otaki Beach.

Member of survey party with canoe. The Otaki River originates in the Tararua Range and flows for 45 km, firstly heading southwest through a valley in the Tararua Ranges. It turns northwest in the area of Otaki Forks, where it is joined by the Waiotauru River. After continuing through Otaki Gorge it reaches the Tasman Sea south of the settlement of Otaki Beach.

A survey party of four men hauling a canoe up the Otaki River. The Otaki River originates in the Tararua Range and flows for 45 km, firstly heading southwest through a valley in the Tararua Ranges. It turns northwest in the area of Otaki Forks, where it is joined by the Waiotauru River. After continuing through Otaki Gorge it reaches the Tasman Sea south of the settlement of Otaki Beach.

Otaki Forks is 19 km inland from Otaki township. It is the main western entrance to the Tararua Forest Park, and where two tributaries, the Waiotauru River and Waitatapia Stream, meet the Otaki River.

The first minister of the Danish Lutheran Church at Mauriceville West was George Sass who arrived in 1878. George Sass was instrumental in having the church built in a similar style to ones in Denmark by local Scandinavians. Opening on 24 August 1884, it sat 150 people, austere in design with a large square tower.The Cyclopedia of New Zealand, 1897, noted: "Mauriceville Lutheran Church is a handsome wooden building standing on an eminence in Mauriceville West. Accommodation is provided for about 200 worshippers. Services are held weekly. The Rev. Mads Christensen is the minister in charge."The dwindling population meant that after 1916 the church could no longer support a minister. It then started to fall into decay. It was demolished and replaced in 1957.

The first minister of the Danish Lutheran Church at Mauriceville West was George Sass who arrived in 1878. George Sass was instrumental in having the church built in a similar style to ones in Denmark by local Scandinavians. Opening on 24 August 1884, it sat 150 people, austere in design with a large square tower.The Cyclopedia of New Zealand, 1897, noted: "Mauriceville Lutheran Church is a handsome wooden building standing on an eminence in Mauriceville West. Accommodation is provided for about 200 worshippers. Services are held weekly. The Rev. Mads Christensen is the minister in charge."The dwindling population meant that after 1916 the church could no longer support a minister. It then started to fall into decay. It was demolished and replaced in 1957.

Minister Edward Nielsen opened the Scandinavian Wesleyan Church in Mauriceville 9 July 1881. The tiny church was modeled on those from Norway especially with a tapering steeple. Once the population started to move away from Mauriceville the church became neglected and closed.

Jens was the youngest son of Arthur Petersen, son of a Norwegian Prime Minister. Jens helped to found the Mauriceville Dairy Company in 1889. Sometime between 1910 – 1920 the family moved to Palmerston North, where Jen’s son George Conrad became a leading lawyer and a well known local historian.

This photograph depicts the stop at Paekakariki complete with three engines and various railway staff members. The Wellington Manawatu Railway Company Limited constructed the rail line between Wellington and Palmerston, opened in 1886, and ran it until they sold it to the Government in 1908.

This family is thought to be the Scandinavian family of Daniel Johansen, listed in the Post Office Directories for 1885-6 and 1901-2. Far right, with a horse is Bernt Johansen.

The Wellington Manawatu Railway Company Limited constructed the rail line between Wellington and Palmerston, opened in 1886, and ran it until they sold it to the Government in 1908.

A family wedding at "Atawhai" (meaning warm welcome), the family home of the Keiller family. Back Row, from left: Janie Emereld Potts (formerly married to a Mr Waitt); Geoffrey Potts; H. H. Webb (Groom); Albert Keiller; Daisy Howley (bride); D. L. H. Belt (Best man); Sheila Hitchings; Valentine (Val) Hitchings. Front Row: Brian Keiller; Cecile Keiller.

Old Coach Raod goes through part of Makura Swamp which was known for its flax production.

Ole Mortensen was one of the original party of Danes who emigrated to New Zealand in 1872-5. He won a 49 acre property in a ballot for land. His name appears in the New Zealand Post Office directory until almost the turn of the century. A Mrs Karen M. Mortensen is probably his widow.

A view looking north from Otaki showing the Main Road to Palmerston North and Tararua Mountains in the distance.

A sheet outlining the history of the Manawatu Knitting Mills Limited, probably created for the 1983 centenary of the establishment of the business. The business was founded by John Stubbs in his home, and moved to the Main Street site in 1889. It was originally named Stubbs Hosiery Factory, then the Manawatu Hosiery Factory before it became the Manawatu Knitting Mills Ltd in 1932.

For more information on the Manawatū Knitting Mills, see White, Jill (2007). "Women at Work in the Manawatū Knitting Mills." Manawatū Journal of History, Vol. 3, pp.20-29.

Jens Larsen is shown here with his family outside their second house in Mauriceville West. Larsen, who built this house himself, also made and played violins. On one celebrated occasion he even improvised a concertina.

The Rev. J.J. Legarth was a minister at Mauriceville West.

Walter Chisholm, J.P. was the first Englishman in Mauriceville. He was the storekeeper and ran his business on the site of the first schoolhouse. The photograph shows from left: Peter Petersen; Spark the dog; Peter Lollander; Walter Chisholm; Mrs Chisholm; A Forsberg.

Christian Petersen was a carrier by trade and transported most of the timber for the early Scandinavian settlements about Mauriceville.