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Story: Sewing, knitting and textile crafts

Maria Williams knitting, early 20th century

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Maria Williams knitting, early 20th century

Missionary women were the first knitters in New Zealand. Maria Williams, daughter of missionaries Jane and William Williams, opened a school for Māori girls in Napier in 1877, and one subject she taught was knitting. She is wearing a shawl and cap she would have knitted herself, and is knitting a delicate garment, perhaps something for a baby.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Williams Family Collection

Reference: 1/2-029572-F

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

Kerryn Pollock, Sewing, knitting and textile crafts – Knitting, spinning and weaving, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/40529/maria-williams-knitting-early-20th-century (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 12 December 2012.