Remembering Them

The story of the returned servicemen who settled in this valley is one of trials and tribulations. Their attempt to bring the bush into farmland was an enormous challenge which they accepted eagerly. 

They started families, formed a strong community and worked hard to bring in the land. Financial burdens meant that they were unable to borrow capital to buy the much needed stock to graze the land they had cleared and grassed.

Many of these hard working settlers were disheartened having spent the best years of their lives in fruitless labour. When the government of the day did not stand behind these men and closed the valley roads, they were forced to leave.

Raewyn West married a direct descendant of one of the original settlers and has a desire to see the history appreciated and preserved for future generations.

Journey into the heart of wild New Zealand with Blue Duck Station, a captivating portrait of one of the country’s most environmentally significant stations.

Nestled alongside the idyllic Whanganui National Park, where the Whanganui and Retaruke rivers converge, this remarkable station combines traditional farming practices with tourism, conservation and new ways of doing things.

The land’s rich past and the resilient and determined people who shaped it have paved the way for current owner Dan Steele and his family to make their mark. Dan, a passionate advocate for native wildlife, now welcomes people from around the world to experience a place where adventure and environmental initiatives go hand in hand.

Join author Nicola McCloy as she introduces us to the people, the places and the history that make Blue Duck Station such an extraordinary part of New Zealand.