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Kōrero: City images

Massey's Cossacks

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Massey's Cossacks

The 1913 waterfront dispute saw wharf workers take over the main ports and stop trade. Prime Minister William Massey called for farmers and rural labourers to enlist as special constables to help regain control of the wharves, pitting town against country. This group of special mounted constables nicknamed 'Massey's Cossacks' were the Levin Troop, and included future military hero and governor-general Bernard Freyberg (second from right).

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: O.030460

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Ben Schrader, City images – City versus country, 20th century, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/25295/masseys-cossacks (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Ben Schrader, i tāngia i te 3 March 2010.