“Blue duck” echoes a voice from the past. Here at Lowry Bay Scenic Reserve, you might not see the azure-feathered birds today, but their presence once painted these lands. Before the earth shook and reshaped the landscape in 1855, a gravel bar embraced a swamp, a sanctuary for the Whiorau, the blue ducks. The name Lowry Bay, however, arrived with the British. It honors Richard Lowry, the first mate who charted these waters aboard The Tory in 1839. The spirit of early settlers lingers in the air, especially the legacy of James and Emma Jackson. They arrived on these shores in 1840, seeking a fresh start in a land brimming with promise. The Jacksons chose Lowry Bay for their new home, building a sturdy house with their hands from bricks they made themselves. Tragically, their dreams were cut short when James died in 1846. His final resting place is believed to be here, marked by four oak trees planted by a friend. While time has veiled the exact location, their story reminds us of the pioneers who carved a life out of this wild, beautiful land. Although the blue ducks might have flown to different havens, the whispers of their presence and the echoes of the Jacksons’ story remain, woven into the very fabric of Lowry Bay Scenic Reserve.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to