In 1840, James McIvor sails from Scotland to begin a new life in the remote and untamed landscapes of New Zealand. More than 160 years later, his descendant, Alex McIvor, is asked to write the family's history. As he draws on the family archives to create his own narrative, Alex finds that behind his family mythology lies a less savoury story. As James's pioneering journey unfolds through generations shaped by migration and hardship, Alex's own life in London starts to unravel. His search for the truth behind his family's legacy forces him to confront uncomfortable questions about his own past.