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Story: Women’s networks and clubs

Afternoon tea: tea in the garden

Afternoon tea: tea in the garden

Two women enjoy afternoon tea in the garden, about 1912. The elaborate hats they are wearing suggest that this was a formal visit. In New Zealand the practice of paying calls evolved into the rituals of morning and afternoon tea. These were occasions when women could socialise together in their homes.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Albert Percy Godber Collection (PA-Group-00048)

Reference: APG-1396-1/2-F

by Albert Percy Godber

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

Nancy Swarbrick, Women’s networks and clubs – Social and friendship networks, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/30998/afternoon-tea-tea-in-the-garden (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 7 April 2011.