Story: Farm families

Woman milking a cow

Woman milking a cow

The sight of women milking outside must have been fairly common in many country areas of New Zealand at the beginning of the 20th century. The man of the household was often away helping neighbours or working on the roads, and wives became essential for the daily running of the farm. Milking was one task done by women.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, James McAllister Collection (PAColl-3054)
Reference: 1/1-009744; G
Photograph by James McAllister

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:

Emma Dewson and Jock Phillips, 'Farm families - The colonial family and the household economy', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/19825/woman-milking-a-cow (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Emma Dewson and Jock Phillips, published 24 Nov 2008