Story: Bay of Plenty region

Crossing the Whakatāne River

Crossing the Whakatāne River

Travel along beaches or across estuaries or harbours was common in the Bay of Plenty before railways or highways, because it was difficult to traverse the hills, mountains, rivers and bush. Photographed around 1910, these passengers and horses are being ferried across the Whakatāne River to the town of Whakatāne. One wagon has been left behind, and another will meet them on the other side. The first bridge across the river was built a year later.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/1-007528; 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.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Malcolm McKinnon, 'Bay of Plenty region - Settlers struggle: 1870 to 1900', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5587/crossing-the-whakatane-river (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Malcolm McKinnon, updated 1 Aug 2016