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Park History

A Brief European History of Orton Bradley Park

1820 - First commercial interest in the area came from visiting sealers, then flax traders (1827), followed by whalers (1837).

1845 - The first settlers in the area were the Manson and Gebbie families, both having left Riccarton to lease the land from local Maori for a nominal fee of twenty pounds per annum.

1848 - The two families were informed that they were unlawfully inhabiting the area as the Canterbury Association, who was working with the New Zealand Company, had purchased the land.

1852 - Dr Thomas Richard Moore settled in Charteris Bay on a 50 acre block with his wife and 5 children, and built a substantial cottage. He practiced medicine in Lyttelton while farming the area around the current buildings with a dairy herd brought from England. His herd became renowned for their beef production, meat and cheese.

1858 - Initially Dr Moore leased additional property from surrounding land owners, before purchasing an additional 150 acres. It was during this era that the old stone cottage was converted into a dairy. Despite the increased acreage and the fine dairy herd, his endeavors did not meet with financial success.

1859 - Dr Moore sold his land including his cattle, and settled near Styx Mill Rd in Papanui, running a successful medical practice.

The Bradley Family

Rev Robert Reginald Bradley was from a distinguished family. Born in Kirby, Stephen, U.K. He graduated from Durham, married Georgiana and moved to Cape Coast (West Africa) as a chaplain to the Queens forces. During his time in Africa Georgian died and he subsequently returned to England.

1855 - Rev Bradley married his first cousin Frances, and moved to New Zealand and settled at the Papanui Parish. Life was tough, and between weddings and services he ran a small farm to support his family.

1858 - Realising that his interest in farming superseded his interest in the church he obtained Bishop Selwyn’s permission to give up the encumbency.

1859 - Rev Reginald Robert Bradley along with Rev. Preston purchased the Charteris Bay property of Dr Moore. Rev Preston did not settle for long, selling his share to Rev Bradley in 1861, this was the beginning of 30 years of land acquisition. By 1866 the estate totaled 1600 acres. During this time he continued to develop the dairy herd and sold dairy products and later processed meat for the Lyttelton market. Like most other pioneers he diversified the farm production and also planted large orchards and vegetable gardens. With a family of nine children the home consumption must have used a good deal of the produce, but the fruit and vegetables proved to be a useful cash crop.

1870 - Flax mill established on the property at, what is now the top of the picnic grounds.

1891 - Frances passed away.

1892 - Rev Bradley passed away. Orton takes over the property. He is the eldest of 9 children and the only one not born deaf. One brother and one sister had died in childhood, with most of the family remaining on the property for the rest of their lifes.

Orton was not very interested in farming, his brother Frank being more agriculturally inclined. Orton was more interested in science and is considered a pioneer in the field of ecology. He had a great appreciation for the vital role trees play in any ecosystem, and realised the need for diversification of habitat for a robust ecosystem.

Orton donated many trees that are planted all over the peninsula. To support his interests he leased much of the property in small blocks for dairy farming and market gardening. He did not marry and devoted his life to science and technology. This led to a range of interests - breeding racehorses, brewing, geology, ecology, horticulture and engineering. He was actively involved in the work of local bodies in the area.

He was responsible for extensive plantings of trees not only on his own property, but as far away as Lyttelton and Akaroa. He donated plants for reserves in areas all over Banks Peninsula.

1901 - Orton built the homestead and moved the cottage to its current location.

1930 - The road though to Purau was completed.
1940 - Orton became a member of the Banks Peninsula Electric Power board, aged 83!

1943 - Orton Bradley dies aged 86. The property was left in trust for eventual use as a National Park. Trustees re-establish property as a single farming entity, and concentrate on re-establishing stock numbers, fencing the property and eradicating noxious weeds.

1967 - Homestead built in 1901 burns down; also lost in the fire are many historical documents, photos and Bradley family heirlooms.

1972 - A private Act of Parliament, passed constituting the current board structure and vesting in it the land and chattels of Orton Bradley’s estate. It could not be designated a National Park as it does not meet the criteria as outlined in the 1952 National Parks Act.

1973 - Old School house moved to current location from across the road. Rev Bradley had been instrumental in its original construction , as there had been no local school for children in the area.
1981 Orton Bradley Park opened to the public.

For a full history of the Park there is an excellent book "Orton Bradley Park: a History" researched and written by Karen Gregory-Hunt and edited by John Wilson. It was published in 1986 as a Lands and Survey Field Book, Old Series 319 1858-1860. Unfortunately the book is out of print but can be consulted at Macmillan Brown Library at Canterbury University.

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