From this time on John and Michael began establishing large stations in both the North and South Islands.

[2] In 1854, to purchase cattle John and Michael Studholme both walked from Lyttelton to Dunedin (some 250 miles) at a time when there were no roads or bridged rivers.

[4] Arriving in Dunedin, their cheque was refused at the cattle market since there was no bank yet in Otago to process it and no business transactions between the two provinces existed.

In 1869 upon Michael's return, they bought Merivale Manor, then on the outskirts of Christchurch, from Lucy's brother and sold Hororata to Prime Minister John Hall.

The brothers drained 2,000 acres (810 ha) of swamp and started a large cropping programme as well as running 26,000 sheep there.

By 1875, 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) were being used for crop farming, running twenty six-horse teams with a permanent staff of 35 men.

A settlement was firmly established with a post office, store, church room, library, recreation centre, butcher, and blacksmith.

[14] Studholme was repeatedly asked by Prime Minister William Fox to join the government; he resolutely refused, however.

[16] He was one of the first Canterbury magistrates, and was a first member of the Provincial Council for the Timaru district, which at that time comprised all the provinces south of Ashburton.

Her sister Sarah Ann Moorhouse was married to another early settler William Barnard Rhodes.

Part of Kaweka Forest Park in Hawke's Bay is named the 'Studholme Saddle' as it is where three of the largest Studholme family farms (Karioi, Ruanui, and Ohauko) met.

[18] The Upper and Lower Studholme Passes in the Southern Alps between the headwaters of the Landsborough and Hunter Rivers are also named after the family.