Pākehā prejudice meant Māori had difficulty finding accommodation while visiting towns and cities. Governments sought to overcome this problem by building 'native hostelries' in main centres where visiting Māori could stay for free, as long as they obeyed hostel rules. This is the Auckland hostel (right) in Mechanics Bay, about 1860. The building featured a covered area at the front where visiting Māori traders could display produce and wares. Waka (Māori canoes) are beached in the foreground.
Using this item
Auckland Council Libraries − Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau, Sir George Grey Special Collections
Reference: 4-2730
by James D. Richardson
Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.