These men and women are waiting for a hearing of the Native Land Court in Whanganui, probably in the late 1860s. Until well into the 20th century most Māori lived in rural districts, while land court hearings were held in towns and cities. Claimants had to travel considerable distances to attend the hearings and then find accommodation, sometimes for long periods. The expenses they incurred sometimes exceeded the value of their lands.
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Alexander Turnbull Library
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1/1-000013-G
Photograph by William James Harding
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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