New Zealand Government Tourist Department: Photograph album of images of Maori

Photograph album containing images of Maori taken circa 1900-1904 by the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department. Photographers unidentified but many probably taken by Thomas Pringle who was employed by the Tourist Department in 1901. Compiler of album unidentified. Some images have captions.

Images show Maori men, women and children, wearing both European and traditional Maori style clothing, including various types of Maori cloaks. Many are shown involved in Maori cultural activities and mock ceremonies, in poses that appear to have been arranged by the photographer. Despite the title of the album: 'Maori life and scenery', there are no scenic views in this album.

One notable series of images shows Lord Ranfurly's visit to the Urewera, the first visit of a governor into the Urewera heartlands in 1904. Ranfurly was accompanied by leading Maori figures including James Carroll and Maui Pomare, as well as war veteran Gilbert Mair and writer/enthnologist Elsdon Best. They include photographs of Te Whai a Te Motu (Wharenui) at Mataatua Marae, Ruatahuna.

Other: Many prints have an inscription "New Zealand Government and Tourist Department Protected 7.1.03", however 7 January 1903 is not the date the photographs were taken. It is likely to be the date the image was registered/patented.

Source of title - Title supplied by Library

Inscriptions: Backing board recto - On spine "ZZ P575" and "Photographs of Maori Life and Scenery". Also the General Assembly Library's insignia appears on the spine and on the front of the album.

Relationship complexity: This album relates to PA1-o-1883 and PA1-o-1885 which came to the library at the same time and belongs to the same series if albums which were from the Parliamentary Library.

Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).

Physical Description: Green album bound by the General Assembly Library, with gold embossed lettering. 24cm x 31.5cm.

Transfers: From Book Collections - From NZ & P Book Collections as part of a large ongoing donation of mainly published material..