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Story: Economy

Māori couple, Wellington, 1950s

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Māori couple, Wellington, 1950s

From the mid-19th century Māori lost land and population, and their rural economy was increasingly marginalised. As jobs appeared in the main centres after the Second World War, many moved to the city for jobs and the attractions of urban life.

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How to cite this page

Brian Easton, Economy – The Māori economy: a history, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/3736/maori-couple-wellington-1950s (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Brian Easton, published 3 March 2009, updated 1 September 2016.