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Story: Manners and social behaviour

Colonial manners

'Colonial manners' were a matter for much discussion and debate from the 19th century. This series of letters to the editor from 1892 reveals the range of opinion. A 'Visitor' to Dunedin deplores the lack of manners shown by New Zealand men, comparing their behaviour unfavourably with that of European men. Other correspondents deny that there is a problem, or defend local men.

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National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past

Reference: Otago Daily Times, 6 May 1892, p. 4; Otago Daily Times, 9 May 1892, pp. 3-4

Permission of the 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, Manners and social behaviour – New Zealand manners, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/39836/colonial-manners (accessed 3 June 2026).

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 3 December 2012.