In the 1870s two “special settlements” were founded on the West Coast of the South Island as part of Vogel’s public works and immigration scheme. The southern settlement, at Jackson’s Bay, failed; the northern settlement, at Karamea, was modestly successful. This thesis examines the differing fortunes of the two special settlements. Did Jackson’s Bay fail because of poor choice of site, or because of the unsuitability of settlers? Or was there, as was argued at the time, something inherently wrong with “special settlements”? On the other hand, why did the special settlers persevere at Karamea?