Over the Wide and Trackless Sea: The Pioneer Women and Girls of New Zealand,

by Megan Hutching

 

This month sees the opening of Girl Power: The Exhibition at MOTAT. The exhibition explores New Zealand women’s strength, courage and determination through the decades (1890-2000).

Continuing with this theme, new to the library this month we have Over the wide and trackless sea: the pioneer women and girls of New Zealand, By Megan Hutching.

 

This book explores the lives of 11 pioneer women in New Zealand. Their stories paint a fascinating picture of a new country, from mission stations and Dalmatian gum-diggers in the north to South Island whaling stations and the landed gentry of Canterbury. Pioneer women suffered the loss of children, armed conflict and economic hardship, enduring natural and man-made disasters and endless labour - but their lives were more than a struggle for survival. There was time for friendship, laughter, picnics, visits, exquisite handcrafts and hearty celebrations, as the ‘gentle practitioners of the domestic arts’ made homes in the wilderness and gave birth to a nation.