Story: Eating

Shearers' smoko break, early 20th century

Shearers' smoko break, early 20th century

In rural and manufacturing professions in New Zealand, the morning tea break is traditionally known as 'smoko' – the brief period in which to drink a cup of tea, eat something and perhaps smoke some tobacco. These Wairarapa shearers and their young helpers are drinking tea from enamel mugs during their morning smoko, some time in the early 20th century.

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Wairarapa Archive
Reference: 05-39/P.M.14-1.R14B9S4

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Eating - Meals', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/38598/shearers-smoko-break-early-20th-century (accessed 2 May 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 5 Sep 2013