Author:
Paul W. Feenstra is a historical fiction novelist. Meticulously researched and detailed, his character driven novels create a dramatic window into our chronicled and complex past. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1959, to Dutch immigrants, Paul still commutes to Los Angeles, California, where he worked as a multiple ‘Emmy’ nominated entertainment industry professional.

Will justice prevail over greed and ruthless ambition?

July 1839, without the permission of the English Government, the New Zealand Company ship, Tory, quietly departed England, anxious to reach New Zealand with the utmost speed. Expedition leader, Colonel William Wakefield’s objective is clear –  acquire millions of acres of valuable land from the natives at the lowest possible price.

On board the Tory, Andrew and Eleanor Stewart, young Scottish emigrants indentured to the New Zealand Company, are excited at the prospect of beginning a new life in a perfect town called Britannia. It’s the Utopia the company promised. 

Boundary highlights adversity as settlers struggle to survive the hardships of a new colony. Where mounting claims of illegally obtained lands and deception force local Maori chiefs to resist. How much more can they endure before they finally take action and revolt? 

Caught between the loyalty to their employer, and helping Maori, Andrew and Eleanor encounter schemers and murderers as they challenge the powerful New Zealand Company and the men who govern. Meticulously researched, Boundary is a story of greed and injustice, and draws attention to an often-misunderstood dark passage in New Zealand’s early colonial history.

Boundary

Te Awaiti Whaling Station, Marlborough Sounds.


Dickie Barrett never found his sea legs and detested the voyage across the Cook Strait from Wellington to Te Awaiti. The body of water was frequently rough and during such crossings Dickie could often be found at the rail emptying his stomach, as he was today.


He moved back from the rail and wiped his mouth on his coat sleeve, dabbed his eyes that had watered at the effort and took a deep breath before cursing his misfortunes. He cursed the whales for their slow disappearance from these waters, he dammed the whalers who owed him money, he swore at the Wakefields and the New Zealand Company, then launched himself towards the ship's side, hanging over the rail and retching all over again. Today was not a good day.


Chapter 67