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Story: Rock, limestone and clay

Cob house

Image
Cob house

This farmhouse in Richmond, North Otago, probably dates from the 1860s. The pioneers used whatever was at hand to construct their homes. Cob houses were made of rammed clay and straw (or tussock), built up in layers and then cut with a sharp spade.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Making New Zealand Centennial Collection (PAColl-3060)

Reference: MNZ-1428-1/4-F

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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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Rock, limestone and clay – Clay, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5242/cob-house (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 2 March 2009.