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Story: Children’s play

Boy with a kite, 1919

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Boy with a kite, 1919

This 1919 painting by Eric Macky depicts a boy with a kite. Kites were a favourite toy of both Māori and Pākehā children until well into the 20th century. The flying of kites became more restricted in urban areas with the spread of impediments such as power lines.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki

Reference: U/146

by Eric Macky

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Peter Clayworth, Children’s play – Toys – from homemade to mass market, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/40861/boy-with-a-kite-1919 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Peter Clayworth, published 13 February 2013.