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Story: Rural workers

The swagman

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Swaggers were a common sight on the roads in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Read a 1908 newspaper article written by a swagger about his lifestyle (PDF, 34 KB).

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: A-182-127

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Rural workers – On the road, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/document/17217/the-swagman (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 1 March 2009.