Story: Farm mechanisation

Spread of electricity, 1930

Between the world wars the extension of electricity to farms progressed, but there were still some regions without. In the North Island, Northland, the East Cape and the Volcanic Plateau were still largely without electricity by 1930. In contrast, dairying areas such as Waikato and Taranaki were well served, as were farms in Manawatū, Rangitīkei and Wairarapa.

In the South Island, most rural areas in Otago and Canterbury had electricity, but much of the West Coast, Marlborough, and the northern part of Canterbury were still reliant on farm generation of electricity, or other forms of power, to run machinery.

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Source: Malcolm McKinnon, ed. Bateman New Zealand historical atlas: kopapatuanuku e takotonei. Auckland: David Bateman, 1997, plate 88

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How to cite this page:

James Watson, 'Farm mechanisation - Machines powered by electricity', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/18404/spread-of-electricity-1930 (accessed 16 April 2024)

Story by James Watson, published 24 Nov 2008