Henry Lawson made three visits to New Zealand. In this episode of the Henry Lawson’s Crumbs Podcast, we discuss each of those trips. Lawson went to New Zealand in 1893, 1896, and 1897. As a bachelor who was fed up with life, his initial intent when he first left Australia in 1893 was never to return. His second trip to New Zealand in 1896 was very short. He was engaged to be married and missed his fiancé too much to stay away from her. In 1897, the newlywed Henry and Bertha Lawson travelled to New Zealand together. While on that trip, their first child was born in February 1898.

Lawson works discussed in the episode:

The first trip to NZ

Coming Across: A Study in the Steerage. Originally published in The New Zealand Mail, 15 & 29 December 1893. Collected in While the Billy Boils (August 1896).

New Zealand from an Australian’s Point of View. Originally published in Fair Play, 30 December 1893.

“Here’s Luck.” Originally published in Fair Play, 16 December 1893. Collected in Verses Popular and Humorous (December 1900).

His Country—After All. Originally published in The Patriot, 22 December 1894. Collected in While the Billy Boils (August 1896).

‘Pursuing Literature’ in Australia. Originally published in The Bulletin, 21 January 1899.

The second trip to NZ

After All. Originally published in The Bulletin, 28 March 1896. Collected in Selected Poems of Henry Lawson (November 1918).

The third trip to NZ

A Daughter of Maoriland. Originally published in The Antipodean, Christmas 1897. Collected in Over the Sliprails (June 1900).

Pigeon Toes. Originally published in Town and Country Journal, 16 December 1900. Collected in When I Was King and Other Verses (November 1905).