Story: Māori overseas

Eugene Toki

Eugene Toki

Eugene Toki, originally from Auckland, moved to Australia in the 1980s. In 1989 he had two jobs – during the week he worked as a fitter, and at weekends he sold T-shirts at Melbourne markets. During 12 years in Australia he was the target of only one racist comment. It was from his fiancée’s grandmother: ‘He isn’t a darkie, is he?’ she had asked. Once Eugene had stopped laughing he easily won her over.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP-Social-New Zealanders Overseas-02

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:

Carl Walrond, 'Māori overseas - Emigration to Australia', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/1319/eugene-toki (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 8 Feb 2005