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Story: Home décor and furnishings

A gum digger’s whare, 1898

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A gum digger’s whare, 1898

The interior of a one-roomed gum digger’s whare, photographed in the 1890s, shows how even in impoverished circumstances people made an effort to create pleasant, comfortable surroundings. A patchwork quilt and cushions cover the bed, while the walls are decorated with pictures cut from newspapers and magazines – a typical ploy to disguise a bare surface.

Using this item

Auckland Council Libraries − Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Reference: 7-A15810

by Beattie and Sanderson

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Nancy Swarbrick, Home décor and furnishings – Higher aspirations, 1860s to 1900s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/40705/a-gum-diggers-whare-1898 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 15 January 2013.