Saddled Up: A History of Horses

The horse has had a long history in NZ and were first introduced to NZ in the 19th century. European settlers relied heavily on horses to transport everything, not quite the kitchen sink but almost! Horses were essential for farming and were the main form of transport in both rural and city areas for European settlers and Māori.

The first iwi to have a horse was Ngā Puhi. They were given a mare, which was one of the first horses introduced into NZ. Horses were later traded with other iwi and used in the New Zealand Wars during the 1860s.

Whilst not native to NZ, the horse has adapted well to the environment. By the 1870s, there were feral herds in the central plateau in the North Island, which came to be referred to as the Kaimanawa horses.These 'wild' horses are associated with the Ngāti Tūwharetoa people, particularly the Ngāti Tama Whiti hapū.

Horses have remained popular and many people take still take part in horse riding and attend racing activities.

Keen to find out more? Search for images of horses using the keyword horses in the search box of the Kura and Heritage Images databases. Below is a small selection for you to enjoy, but there are plenty more online!

Carriages, traps and bugies:

Ref: Henry Winkelmann, Grand Hotel in Princes St with horses and carriages outside, Auckland Central, 1901, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1-W128

Ref: James D Richardson, two women and a driver in a horse and carriage, location unknown, c. 1900-1930s, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-8864

Ref: Photographer unknown, group with horse and buggy, Mangere, c. 1905, photograph reproduced by courtesy of Mangere Historical Society, South Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, Footprints 04385

Carts:

Ref: Henry Winkelmann, looking along the south side of Shortland St, Auckland Central, showing horses and carts, 1922, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1-W1823

Ref: Henry Winkelmann, kauri gum being loaded into the barque 'Bjarne', Auckland Central waterfront, 1904, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1-W1154

Ref: Henry Winkelmann, Shortland St Post Office and horses and carts, Auckland Central, 1925, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1-W627

Ref: Photographer unknown, butter factory workers, Mangere, c. 1895, photograph reproduced by courtesy of Mangere Bridge Library (origin unknown), South Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, Footprints 01123 

Other ways of transporting goods or items (konahi, rakes and bogies) :

Ref: Photographer unknown, two horses pulling a  konaki with supplies on Whatipu beach, 1900, West Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, JTD-06M-02953

Ref: J Wilson, draft horse pulling a rake loaded with bales of raw sugar, Chelsea wharf, Birkenhead, 1938, North Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, B0056

Ref: Oliver and Walker, horses hitched to bogies on the Waitakere Dam tramway near Swanson, c. 1909, West Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, JTD-15C-02702

Farming:

Ref: James D Richardson, Mr Thomas Hyde on large roller pulled by a horse, Clevedon, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-8760

Point-to-point:

Ref: James D Richardson, Pakuranga Point-to-point Steeplechase at the Royal Oak Hotel, 1902, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-3174

Horse riding:

Ref: Photographer unknown, girls on a horse, Pakuranga, c. 1905, photograph reproduced by courtesy of Howick Historical Society (Bell family collection), South Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, Footprints 01344 

Ref: Photographer unknown, Masters' trotting horses on the beach at Whatipu, West Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, JTD-06K-02929