Story: Te rāngai mahi – Māori in the workforce

George Toms, whaler's son

George Toms, whaler's son

Māori got involved in whaling very early. George Toms (spelt 'Thoms' in the picture title) is shown in this 1847 picture with a whaling boat in the background. He was the son of Pākehā whaler Joseph Toms and his wife Te Ua Torikirikiri, a niece of Te Rauparaha.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PUBL-0014-12-2
Hand-coloured lithograph by George French Angas

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Basil Keane, 'Te rāngai mahi – Māori in the workforce - European contact', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/25515/george-toms-whalers-son (accessed 17 April 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 11 Mar 2010