Story: Human effects on the environment

Digging drains

Digging drains

A huge network of drains was dug across the Hauraki Plains to convert peaty lands into farmland. Digging drains by hand was hard, but provided work for a large number of men in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Reference: Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives (New Zealand), 1911, C–8

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How to cite this page:

Janet Wilmshurst, 'Human effects on the environment - European impact', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12544/digging-drains (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Janet Wilmshurst, published 24 Sep 2007