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Story: United States and New Zealand

Mark Twain in Dunedin

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Mark Twain in Dunedin

In 1895 Mark Twain, the prominent American writer, visited New Zealand on a lecture tour. His lecture in the city hall in Dunedin was such a success that he decided to stay and give a repeat performance rather than travel to see the southern lakes. This sketch of Twain performing on the occasion is by William Mathew Hodgkins.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Field-Hodgkins Collection

Reference: A-212-024

by William Mathew Hodgkins

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

Robert Ayson and Jock Phillips, United States and New Zealand – Early relations, 1790–1939, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/32887/mark-twain-in-dunedin (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Robert Ayson and Jock Phillips, published 14 March 2012.