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Story: Building and construction industry

Constructing a brick building

Image
Constructing a brick building

Workers for building contractor J. W. Alderton pose on the scaffolding of a brick building they are constructing, probably in Taranaki, around the start of the 20th century. Wooden scaffolding, pipes, suits and hats (not hard hats) were the order of the day.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, J. R. Wall Collection

Reference: 1/1-013018; F

by John Reginald Wall

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, Building and construction industry – Early builders, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/24182/constructing-a-brick-building (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 26 February 2010.