Story: Kauri gum and gum digging

Gum warehouse

Gum warehouse

After it arrived at the Auckland wharves, kauri gum was taken to the merchants’ warehouse by horse-drawn carts. Between them, Auckland gum merchants employed several hundred people. Gum quality varied greatly, and it had to be sorted and graded on size, hardness, colour and purity. Sizes were in descending order from nuggets (sizes B1 and B2), nubs and peas, down to chips and dust.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Making New Zealand Centennial Collection (PAColl-3060)
Reference: MNZ-1/4-000707; 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:

Carl Walrond, 'Kauri gum and gum digging - The industry', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12971/gum-warehouse (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 24 Sep 2007