Arrival in New Zealand
I like to think that 23 year old Alfred Joseph White was on top of the world when he disembarked from his ship ‘Zealandia’ at Lyttelton in 1861. After all, he was about to start off on a new life’s adventure. He had a good solid background in carpentry – thanks to his father’s work with antiques. And he was in love with 22 year old Eliza Baker, a nurse and fellow passenger.
Would it be an easy road to love? He was Catholic, she was Protestant…
Furniture Shop
Alfred White opened his furniture making shop on High Street in 1863. The business would eventually move east along High Street to its intersection with Tuam Street where it would remain until purchased by MacKenzie & Willis. So yes, that beautiful brick facade that was protected after losing the main structure – designed by the England brothers – to the quakes, was once A.J. White’s Ltd. But of course, and as you can see by the attached photo, Alfred’s business began simple but as it grew, he just kept building, buying out neighbouring properties.
Family
Alfred and Eliza were married in a Roman Catholic ceremony on 16th March 1864 and firstly settle down in Sydenham. They would have a family of 7 daughters and 1 son. They soon became known for their kindness and generosity, always ready to lend a helping hand, even more so as they became wealthy and well set up.
In 1873, Alfred decided to sell his business before he returned to England for a visit. Upon his arrival home, he was approached by the almost bankrupt Isaac Brentnall Shealth offering his company back to him for a very cheap cost. So he took up the reins again and by the late 1870’s, as earlier stated, he started expanding his business by purchasing land and building additional premises.
By the time the England brothers were hired for the last build as A.J. White’s Ltd, Alfred and Eliza were living in Opawa and taking a great deal of interest in their area, buying up land but also giving back to the community.
Sadly in 1894, Alfred is badly hurt in a boating accident while down in Bluff. It appears his health suffered as a result and in the last 3 months of his life, he was unable to be present at work. He died on 7th June 1895 and buried at Linwood Cemetery.
Eliza White
Eliza takes over the reins and continues on her husband’s legacy with great success. She also donates money for the build of the Sumner Council Buildings (now the Sumner Museum), and converts the Sumner Social Hall – that the Whites owned – to being the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Sea. Upon her death in 1909, the Eliza White Trust was founded and with her bequest, a girls’ orphanage was opened in Halswell, known as St. Josephs.
There is still the Eliza White Trust Act 1951 that is still at work today.

Alfred White furniture shop