Former editor Cameron Scott hopes Cook Islands News readers might be able to help him solve the mystery surrounding an old photograph he bought in an online auction in New Zealand late last year.

The photo, which seems to date back to early last century or even earlier, was auctioned by Webb’s Antiques along with an assortment of other items from New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Scott bought the photograph for just $25 after noticing it had a handwritten caption saying, “A scene at New Zealand.” However, it showed a river or estuary lined with banana and coconut trees, and appeared to have been taken in some part of the South Pacific.

Close-up detail of part of the photo, showing thatched huts, two people and a river or estuary lined with coconut and banana trees. 23010513

“At first I wondered if it was taken somewhere in the Cook Islands, maybe even on Rarotonga. But when you look closely, there’s a rough kind of raft with raised seats in the water, which to me, doesn’t seem to be Cook Islands style,” he says. “I also don’t recall any tidal estuaries like that on Rarotonga.

“The thatched huts and other structures look similar to early Cook Islands buildings, but I really have no idea where it was taken or when.

“If a Cook Islands News reader could help me, I’d love to get their opinion. The photo definitely wasn’t taken in New Zealand though, so whoever wrote the caption couldn’t have known anything about it either.”

Anyone who can help should contact Scott at: atupare2@gmail.com.