 Brunner was disappointed at the condition of the land along the banks of the Buller River as it neared the coast . He had briefly scouted the area on his previous journey and believed it had potential for pastoral farming . He now found it too damp and mossy to be cultivated . The party reached the mouth of the Buller on 1 June and made their way to the pā that Brunner and Heaphy had stayed at on their last journey but on arrival , found that it had been abandoned . They continued on down to the Arahura River and reached the Taramakau Pā where they stayed for three months over the worst of the winter months . On 12 October , Brunner continued south with some local Māori . He went as far south as Tititira Head , near Paringa where in December he severely sprained his ankle . After recovering , he decided to make his way back to Taramakau Pā . From here he along with his companions , journeyed up the Arahura River and in late January 1848 , discovered the coalfield and lake which now bears his name . He wanted to continue on this route to Canterbury but Kehu and Pitewate would have none of it . The party began to make their way back to Nelson . 
