This view of the Canterbury Plains is looking north from the country area of Geraldine, towards Mt Peel and Mt Hutt in the Southern Alps. The scene is close to ‘Castlewood’, Edwyn Temple’s property in South Canterbury, which he bought in 1881. Though largely self-taught, Temple would also have acquired skills in painting and drawing during his education in England and Italy. He also painted regularly during his time with the British Army. Canterbury Plain, New Zealand highlights Temple’s mature representational style. Born in England, Temple joined the British Army in 1854. He served in the Crimean campaign and in India. Temple returned to England in 1866 but in 1879 he and his family travelled to New Zealand. He was a founding member of the Canterbury Society of Arts in 1880 and was elected the society's first Secretary Treasurer. He also exhibited in the society’s first exhibition. Temple made many sketching trips throughout the South Island during the 1880s and 1890s.

Haumuri Bluff is the rocky headland found between the mouth of the Conway River and Oaro on the Kaikoura coastline of the South Island. Edwyn Temple and a companion travelled by buggy to the area in January 1892 and stayed there for four days, making daily trips out along the Bridle track. The sketches Temple made at this time were later worked into a number of watercolours. He was concerned to give a realistic and accurate portrayal of the scene. Though largely self-taught, Temple would also have had painting and drawing tuition during his education in England and Italy and during his military training. Born in England, Temple served in the British Army's 55th Regiment in Crimea and in India. He and his family travelled to New Zealand in 1879 and, in 1880, he was a founding member of the Canterbury Society of Arts. Temple made many sketching trips throughout the South Island during the 1880s and 1890s.