Mackenzie Sheep Dog Statue

In 1855 James Mackenzie, a Scottish shepherd turned sheep thief discovered the basin that now bears his name when he, with the help of his dog Friday, drove flocks of sheep inland to avoid being discovered.

Authorities were finally able to capture Mackenzie, but struggled to take control of the sheep due to his highly intelligent dog. It is alleged that Friday continued to drive the sheep without his master's control until finally being disabled by the authorities.

A bronze memorial to working collie dogs, such as Friday, was commissioned in 1968 by local farmers and now stands on the shores of Lake Tekapo near the Church of the Good Shepherd.