 In 1841 , Brunner 's father put his son 's name forward to the New Zealand Company , which was seeking prospective emigrants for its proposed settlement in the South Island of New Zealand . The company wanted to populate its new settlement with well educated young men of excellent character and with leadership potential . Furthermore , apprentice surveyors , at the time known as " improvers " , were in particular demand and Brunner , aided by character references from his employer and other notable residents of Oxford , was duly selected to join the company . In addition to his work as an improver , he was to assist the settlement 's principal surveyor , Frederick Tuckett . 
