2026 marks 125 years since the first of three important milestones in Cornwall Park’s history; the signing of the Deed of Gift that made Cornwall Park possible.

We invite you to step into Huia Lodge and Sir John’s footsteps as he journeys toward the gifting of Cornwall Park in our new exhibition “An Enduring Gift.”

Your Journey Awaits:

To set the scene, we’ve created a Scottish-Aotearoa New Zealand inspired landscape for your interactive journey. Imagine rolling hills, old stone walls, bright green moss and ferns, towering branches and purple thistles. Sir John began his journey in Scotland and ended it in Aotearoa New Zealand so it’s only fitting that both countries are represented as you step into his footsteps.

In His Footsteps:

In “An Enduring Gift” you’ll have six choices taken from Sir John’s own writings – including how to invest the £1000 loan (approx. $225,000 NZD today) gifted by your father, whether to gift endowment land alongside Cornwall Park, and how to save yourself from bankruptcy.

Your options will be found below each of the six choices. As you make your decisions, you will be able to find out results of your selections - hidden underneath.

Pick Up Your Pen:

Sir John was an accomplished writer. The Sir John Logan Campbell Papers Collection, housed at the Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, features letters, memos and business records. His autobiographical writing reflects on the choices he made throughout his life.

You’ll now find a writing desk. As you explore this desk you’ll see some of Sir John’s writings as well as the opportunity to reflect on your journey in the exhibition. Would your choices have ended in Cornwall Park flourishing as the urban oasis we enjoy today?