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Kōrero: Interest groups

WCTU tearooms

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was a powerful interest group. It sought to overcome the negative influence of alcohol on society by promoting teetotalism and prohibition. Among its strategies was to erect tearooms at A & P (agricultural and pastoral) shows, where people could buy lunch and drink reviving cups of tea. These also raised funds for the WCTU. The tearooms at the Canterbury show in 1910 are in the middle distance in this photo.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Canterbury Museum, Bishop Collection

Reference: Weekly Press, 16 November 1910 (1923.53.679)

Permission of Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand 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

Raymond Miller, Interest groups – Cause interest groups, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/zoomify/34977/wctu-tearooms (accessed 30 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Raymond Miller, i tāngia i te 14 March 2012, updated 1 April 2020.