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Story: Men and women in the city

Mowing the lawn

Image
Mowing the lawn

A well-manicured suburban lawn was a sign of respectability, and households that neglected the task soon felt the disapproval of their neighbours.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Jaffares Collection

Reference: 1/2-077674-G

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

Caroline Daley, Men and women in the city – Suburban men, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/24596/mowing-the-lawn (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Caroline Daley, published 17 December 2009.