Story: History of immigration

Clubbing seals in a cave

Clubbing seals in a cave

Some of the earliest visitors came in search of seals, and the first group to settle for any length of time were the sealers who arrived at Dusky Sound in 1792. This image shows the brutal manner in which they killed seals for their oil and fur. Although most sealers came and went, a few intermarried with Māori women and settled on the southern coasts.

Using this item

Auckland City Libraries – Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero
Reference: John H. Clark, Foreign field sports, 1819.

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'History of immigration - Early years', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/1502/clubbing-seals-in-a-cave (accessed 16 April 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Aug 2015