Story: Farming and the environment

Ditch digging

Ditch digging

Land drainage was an essential early step in land development in many regions. Digging by hand was the only option at the time, as shown here at Whakakī, near Wairoa, in 1889.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, E. R. Williams Collection
Reference: 1/1-025564-G
Photograph by William Williams

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:

Julia Haggerty and Hugh Campbell, 'Farming and the environment - Early changes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17887/ditch-digging (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Julia Haggerty and Hugh Campbell, published 24 Nov 2008