Story: Housing

This one-roomed cottage in Mōhaka, pictured around 1855, may have been Māori-built. The structure resembles a traditional whare with a wooden frame – the rafters and posts supporting a central ridgepole – and raupō (reed) or flax cladding. However, its side front door shows European influence. The furnishings are basic – its inhabitant uses a box as a seat and a bunk bed is visible by the far wall. Perishables are stored in hanging kete (baskets) above the man's head.