Story: Family welfare

Living on a pension (1st of 2)

Living on a pension

This photograph was one of a series taken by Auckland photographer Enos Silvanus Pegler after the passing of the Old Age Pensions Act 1898. While the pension was welcomed by many elderly people who were previously dependent on the Charitable Aids Boards in their local districts, it was less than a third of the average wage for male factory workers. Pensioners often still struggled to meet the costs of rent and food.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-022951-F
Photograph by Enos Silvanus Pegler

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:

Maureen Baker and Rosemary Du Plessis, 'Family welfare - Mothers and children – 1800s to 1917', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/26073/living-on-a-pension (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Maureen Baker and Rosemary Du Plessis, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 29 Jun 2018