The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 3 (August 1, 1931)
The Maori Farmer
The Maori Farmer.
The native dairy-farmer and sheepfarmer is certainly “getting a move on” these days. The excellent news one hears about land development enterprise in various parts of the North Island is pleasing to all who wish to see the Maori pursuing the agricultural and pastoral life on level terms with his pakeha neighbours. Sir Apirana Ngata and his Native Department staff have put thirty farm schemes going in the principal Maori districts during the last two years, schemes which ensure a life of settled industry and consequent comfort and prosperity for many hundreds of native people.
The look-out on life is being quite transformed for these New Zealanders of the young generation. Waste land is being cleared, fenced, grassed, and arrangements are made for stocking all the farms and providing machinery. Many miles of new fences have been made, good cottages are being built, there are sheep and cattle where only the wild pig roamed a year or two ago. Another few years will see a big increase in the productivity of Maori land, especially in the Auckland province. And that is all to the common good.