Story: Hōiho – horses and iwi

Wahines’ race

Wahines’ race

These three Māori women are taking part in a wahines’ (women’s) race, in the Waikato in the 1890s. Unlike Pākehā women who rode side-saddle, these riders secured their gowns to their ankles and sat astride the horses.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Making New Zealand Centennial Collection (PAColl-3060)
Reference: MNZ-1046-1/4-F

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, 'Hōiho – horses and iwi - Horsemanship', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17822/wahines-race (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 24 Nov 2008, updated 1 Jul 2015