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Story: Rural workers

Bullocks ploughing

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Bullocks ploughing

Bullocks pull a plough through tussock country on the banks of the Manawatū River. As bullocks were stronger than horses, they were used for breaking in new farmland – often areas that were rough, or had never been ploughed before.

Using this item

Whanganui Regional Museum

Reference: B/FA/2a

by T. H. Whetton

Permission of the Whanganui Regional Museum must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Rural workers – Grain and crops, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/17207/bullocks-ploughing (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 1 March 2009.