Puhoi, situated 50 km north of Auckland, New Zealand, is a historically significant town brimming with cultural richness. Established by Bohemian settlers on June 29, 1863, its early inhabitants navigated harsh conditions to shape farms from the dense wilderness, fortified by their robust Roman Catholic faith, family bonds, and community collaboration. Their enduring legacies include landmarks like the Saints Peter and Paul Church and the Puhoi Hotel, dating back to 1879. Today, Puhoi is a melting pot of traditions, with 75% of its residents being recent arrivals. Yet, its Bohemian roots continue to thrive, nurtured by institutions such as the local church, hotel, and Bohemian museum. One modern icon, however, that people might be more familiar with today is the Puhoi Valley Cheese Company, known for producing premium European-style cheeses. This company employs over 80 individuals, some of whom are descendants of the original Bohemian settlers from the Tolhopf, Bayer, and Turnwald families. This unique fusion of historical tenacity, agricultural development, and cultural diversity makes Puhoi a remarkable emblem of New Zealand's multifaceted heritage.
Who were the Bohemians? Well, imagine Germans from Bavaria moving east for centuries. They mixed with Czechs, and by the mid-19th century, we got Bohemians. Some, like the settlers of Puhoi, even spoke a dialect like the Bavarian one in Germany. That's the Bohemians for you - a cultural blend of Czechs and Germans.
But why did they move? Picture 19th-century Europe, full of economic, social, and political chaos. Bohemia wasn't immune, which made some consider leaving. But it wasn't all doom and gloom. The Auckland Government tempted them with free land - 40 acres per adult, 20 more for each child over five. Hard to say no to that, right?
But the real kicker? They were adventurers, just like any migrants. They wanted to explore, seek new lives, and embraced the change. And that's why the Bohemians left - a mix of push from unrest, pull from free land, and a dash of wanderlust.
The Journey
- Several hours by train over night ➡️ PRAGUE
- 3 days and nights by train ➡️ HAMBURG
- 2 days by steamer ➡️ GRAVESEND
- 107 days by sailing ship ➡️AUCKLAND
- Several hours by cutter ➡️ WENDERHOLM
- Two hours by canoe and punt ➡️ Puhoi
00:36 - Puhoi Catholic Church. The original settlers were all Roman Catholics. Their first big project was building a church, completed in 1881. This church, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, was finished on June 29, the saints' feast day and the arrival date of the settlers. This same church is still serving the community today.
02:16 - Puhoi Heritage Museum. Introduces the history of settler settlement and land reclamation, which occupies premises that were originally built as the Catholic primary school (1923–1964).
04:26 - Puhoi General Store.
05:07 - The Puhoi Pub Hotel & Stables. Est 1879
08:12 - Historic Wharf
09:17 - Puhoi Town Library
11:24 - The Landing Stone and Puhoi Centennial Hall
12:38 - The Log Dray. The dray was used to haul timber out of the bush in this area and was pulled by bullocks. The log was one of the batch which was stored behind a dam further upstream probably in 1920’s. When the water was released , the log rushed downstream, became stuck in the mud and was abandoned until local contractor Hallett’s Enterprises Ltd. hauled it out of the river and positioned it on this dray.
13:28 - Puhoi Valley Cafe & Cheese Store??
13:56 - Puhoi Cemetery
Location [ Ссылка ]
Filmed 17th July, 2023
Filmed Using DJI Pocket 2
