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Story: Hōiho – horses and iwi

Children and horses, Ruatōria

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Children and horses, Ruatōria

Ngāti Porou children ‘park’ their horses in a paddock outside their school in Ruatōria, in the 1950s. In rural Māori communities, Māori commonly used horses for transport in the 20th century. Even in the early 21st century, it is not unusual to see children riding horses in these areas.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: E W2694

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Hōiho – horses and iwi – Horses in Māori culture, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/17820/children-and-horses-ruatoria (accessed 26 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 1 March 2009, updated 1 July 2015.