Drake Street

One of several upper Vogeltown Streets named after famous sailors and explorers; Drake Street is named after Sir Francis Drake, celebrated for circumnavigation of the globe in the 16th Century but less known for his dubious involvement in the slave trading industry and piracy. 

Drake's life on the high seas was filled with adventure, conflict and plunder.  Drake and his crew particularly targeted the Spaniards, and the pirated treasures were passed off as "trade".   His enthusiasm for the slave trade industry, along with his cousin John Hawkins, is also well documented.   Between them they created the British slave trade industry, capturing and selling slaves from Africa again under the guise of "trade". 

He was described by the Spanish Ambassador to England as "the master-thief of the unknown world".  However perception of him in England was the antithesis of this and he was knighted and became Mayor of Plymouth.

While in 19th Century New Zealand, descendants of his lesser known brother, John Drake, chose a less adventurous but more respectable life, by immigrating to New Zealand in 1840 and settling in the Wellington area.  Various members of the family have since settled in other parts of New Zealand including Taranaki.

The farmland surrounding Drake Street was developed into a residential zone in the 1940's, quite likely as a result of the burgeoning State Housing policies of the time. This is evident in the housing architecture which reflects styles typical of the state house.

Whatever the reality of Drake's personal qualities, his navigational feats are well documented and applauded throughout history. He died at sea in 1596, without heirs.  It is ironic that his name is celebrated amongst the preeminent symbol of New Zealand egalitarianism, the state house. Drake himself is unlikely to have had any interest in egalitarian philosophy.  

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.