Emigrants returning to the UK

[RestiesMum]

I can find loads of passenger lists for people emigrating to New Zealand, but I know my gx3 uncle is back in the UK within 15 months of arriving in NZ. However I want to know when/how he got back, but can't find any passenger lists for ships returning to the UK before 1878 - he is back by September 1877. Does anyone know if there are any online?
Thanks
RestiesMum

[Peter Goodey]

can't find any passenger lists for ships returning to the UK before 1878

And in practice you'll find precious few before 1890. See the catalogue and the Research Guide

[shippo]

Im aware this thread is over a month old but if you have had no luck finding him leaving New Zealand, you can try Papers Past the NZ newspapers online. Sometimes but not often it might have them departing. Could be worth a try, maybe.

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast

[RestiesMum]

Thanks for this. I have finally got round to following up Papers Past, but no luck I'm afraid. Will try Kew when I get a chance to go up there, but think I'm going to have to accept this is one of those mysteries that will remain!