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Story: Farming in the economy

Chew Chong’s general store, 1870s

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Chew Chong’s general store, 1870s

Chew Chong, who played a vital role in the establishment of a profitable dairy industry in Taranaki, began his career in business in this general store in New Plymouth. From here, Chew Chong bartered with the small dairy farmers nearby, exchanging goods for butter. He began to export butter to Australia, initially without much success. In 1884 he relocated to Eltham and later established a butter factory there.

Using this item

Puke Ariki - Taranaki Museum & Library

Reference: PHO2002-406

by W. A. Collis

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How to cite this page

Robert Peden, Farming in the economy – Refrigeration and the growth of the dairy industry, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/17622/chew-chongs-general-store-1870s (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Robert Peden, published 1 March 2009.