Although initially successful, Felix's work did not impress the authorities and such was his personality that when criticised he usually resorted to litigation and argument.
But Edward Gibbon was also involved in the promotion and planning of a new scheme for the colonisation of New Zealand, the Canterbury Association, under the auspices of the Church of England and he persuaded himself that his brother Felix and his surveying skills had a contribution to make.
The plan that Felix drew up for surveying the Canterbury Plains was largely adopted and contributed significantly to the early success of the colony.
Felix Wakefield arrived in New Zealand with six of his children in November 1851 and immediately began feuding with the agents of the Canterbury Association about the land allocated to him.
A few months later he leased the store at Redcliffs, installed his children in the care of his eldest daughter, Constance, now twenty years old, and departed for Wellington.
There he continued his vendettas with such vehemence that he was summoned to appear in court, charged with uttering threats against the Canterbury Association's Land Agent, John Robert Godley.
By August he was again in trouble, this time for attempting to evict the tenant from a building owned by his nephew, Jerningham Wakefield.