Skip to main content

Story: Kauri gum and gum digging

Gum exports, 1853–1962

Image
Gum exports, 1853–1962

Exports of kauri gum grew rapidly from the 1860s, and peaked in 1900. But the decline was even more rapid, and by the 1940s the gum digging industry was almost finished.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Alfred Reed, The kauri gumdiggers. 3rd ed. Auckland: Bush, 2006

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Kauri gum and gum digging – The industry, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/graph/12974/gum-exports-1853-1962 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 2 March 2009.