Launch of "Sarah Mathew: Explorer, Journalist and Auckland’s ‘First Lady’ "

Tessa Duder’s biography of New Zealand pioneer Sarah Mathew was launched in style at Auckland Library on Friday night. Sarah Mathew: Explorer, Journalist and Auckland’s ‘First Lady’ covers Sarah’s participation in Auckland’s founding ceremony on September 18, 1840.

Introducing Tessa, Iain Sharp tried to find the right words for Auckland’s 175 years in centennial terms, but had to concede that numbers said it best.

Appropriately, Tessa read from the book Sarah’s record of the founding event, a vivid description of the small flag raising ceremony and the boat races that followed.

Tessa had access to surviving journals and letters of Sarah’s years in New Zealand that are held in the Sir George Grey Special Collections at Auckland Libraries, so for the first time Sarah Mathew’s story as a respected, tough minded and steadfast wife of Surveyor General Felton Mathew can take its place in our history.

The 70 strong audience vigorously applauded Tessa’s research and her fluent account of Sarah as a key figure in choosing the site for Hobson’s capital, one who deserves a more prominent place in our history.

Supported by Auckland Council, Sarah Mathew is published by David Ling, and Unity Auckland were there at the launch dealing with sales. Among the guests was another of Auckland’s ‘first ladies’ – former Mayor Dame Catherine Tizard. 

Tessa Duder signing at launch