Featherston (Maori: Kaiwaewae)

Featherston is a town in the South Wairarapa District, in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of just under 3,000 people.

It is at the eastern foothills of Rimutaka Range close to the northern shore of Lake Wairarapa, and 63 km [39 miles] north-east of Wellington.

History

Originally called Burlings, after the first settler to the area, Henry Burling, the town was founded in 1856.

It was renamed Featherston about a decade or so later in honour of Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston.

Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston

Featherston, was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, he qualified in medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1836 and enjoyed playing the recently codified game of football. He arrived in Wellington in 1841 on the New Zealand Company ship Olympus.

During the 1840s Featherston practised medicine in Wellington and became involved in the new town's various associations. He helped in community-building initiatives, such as the founding of the Wellington Savings Bank in 1846, and took a leading part in deputations and public meetings. He became the first editor of the Wellington Independent in 1845.

In 1848 Judge H. S. Chapman referred to him as 'a man of unimpeached character, of ability and very popular among the settlers, to whose interests he is devoted. Indeed he may be said to be the leader of the settlers.'

Isaac was a New Zealand politician, and was known for his advocacy for the establishment of New Zealand self-government, and the importance of the provincial governments.

Featherston served in the first, second, third, and fourth Parliaments.

He represented the Wanganui and Rangitikei electorate in the first parliament until he resigned on 9 August 1855, and then represented the City of Wellington electorate in the second, third and fourth parliaments.

In 1858, he resigned his seat in Parliament and his Wellington superintendency, apparently wanting to return to England. Instead, he successfully stood for re-election in both positions within months.

Featherston was Colonial Secretary (forerunner to the modern Minister of Internal Affairs) in 1861, and a Minister without Portfolio from 1869 to 1871, having been appointed in both instances by William Fox.

Featherston was also heavily involved in the politics of Wellington Province. He was elected unopposed as the first Superintendent from 1853.  He resigned from this post on 23 April 1858.

He was re-elected on 28 June 1858[5] and held the post until 1870.

From 1871 he was the first Agent-General for the colony in London, the precursor to the High Commissioner.

Featherston is also honoured by having Featherston Street, Wellington named after him.

Twin town

Featherston is twinned with the Belgian city of Mesen [Messines in French] mainly due to it being the location of the New Zealand World War I Memorial.