After limited success at Coromandel, Thomas Bunbury and Edward Williams continued their journey on the HMS Herald. On 7 May the ship anchored in the Mercury Islands, eight kilometres off the coast of Coromandel and near the mouth of Mercury Bay.

Williams, Bunbury and others went ashore on one of the islands, and ‘had a ramble for an hour.’ In the evening ‘some chiefs came on board, and we got two of them to sign the treaty.’ These were Purahi of Nāgti Maru, and Ngataiaepa of Ngāti Paoa (www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/interactive/herald-bunbury-tre...). What was explained to them was not recorded.

Next they travelled to Mercury Bay, anchoring at Cooks Bay on 8 May. The party went ashore on 9 May but as most of the local rangatira were inland, no signatures were gathered. Disappointed again, they set sail for Tauranga on 10 May.

This is a harbour chart of Mercury Bay, published by the British Admiralty in 1857. The Mercury Islands are not shown as they lie further north, but Cooks Bay is pictured, as well as Māori settlements and other features. Surveyed by Commander B. Drury 1852

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Archives Reference: ADOE 16621 MW676 Box 1/2K 2574 archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=21488150

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Material from Archives New Zealand