A popular history of that essential piece of farm equipment - the tractor - in New Zealand, including profiles of specific vintage tractors that have been lovingly restored by their owners. Tractor Nation is a look back at how the role of the tractor has changed, from the time they took over from working horses, to present day developments and the latest models. Fordsons, John Deere, Kubota, Farmall, Massey Harris and then Massey Ferguson - a range of makes and models. Fully illustrated with historic shots of tractors at work in the early nineteenth century right through to portraits of restored tractors, and some of the newest tractors available today. A must for every tractor owner and tractor enthusiast.

Author Biography

John Wilson is a noted heritage historian and journalist who was born in Timaru and educated in Christchurch. He graduated from the University of Canterbury with a degree in history, and earned a PhD in Chinese history at Harvard University. He worked as a leader writer for the Christchurch Press before becoming the founding editor of the magazine of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, New Zealand Historic Places, which he edited for two decades. He has written extensively on Christchurch history and architecture, Canterbury rural history and New Zealand mountaineering history. His books include: Lost Christchurch; Cheviot Kingdom to County; Waikakahi Fulfilling the Promise; Christchurch Swamp to City; City and Peninsula; Tractors Across New Zealand; Tractor Tracks; Tractor Nation; and Joy of the Mountains. A long-term resident of Christchurch, he moved to Arthur's Pass following the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. He travelled all over New Zealand interviewing farmers who had lovingly restored tractors, and spoke to many tractor experts to pull together the information for this book.