Story: Occupational structure

Domestic service

Domestic service

Cleaning out a coal-burning stove was a dirty but regular task before the days of cooking with gas and electricity. This woman’s uniform shows that she was a paid domestic servant. Overall, this was never a large occupational category in New Zealand, but was the most common women’s occupation until about the 1930s. It practically disappeared after the Second World War.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira
Reference: C9423

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Paul Callister and Robert Didham, 'Occupational structure - Occupational change since 1840', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/22546/domestic-service (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Paul Callister and Robert Didham, published 11 Mar 2010