This watercolour by John Pearse shows horse races on the Ruamāhanga plains, south Wairarapa, in 1852. The spectators include both Europeans and Māori. The painting suggests how quickly organised sports events such as horse races or cricket games spread to settled areas of the country. This event took place within a few years of Europeans establishing homes in the area.
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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference:
E-455-f-070-1
Watercolour by John Pearse
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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