Māori urbanisation is a defining feature of Aotearoa’s post-colonial history. From 1945 to 1986, the number of Māori living in urban centres tripled. This movement is understood to be one of the most rapid examples of rural-to-urban migration globally [1]. The movement of Māori into urban centres can be partially explained through the changing socio-economic environment in New Zealand, resulting in a growing disparity in the number of employment opportunities available in rural areas versus urban ones. Thus, many young Māori made the decision to relocate - leaving behind their whānau in search of success in the big city.  

This article is taken from a 1966 issue of Te Ao Hou (The New World), a magazine released by the Māori Affairs Department [2]. This article is reporting on a group of thirty Māori parents from Northland and their visit to Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland [3]. The purpose of their visit was to tour the accommodation and types of employment available to their tamariki - some of which had already moved and were currently working or studying. This trip was organised and facilitated by Māori already living in Tāmaki, with the group staying overnight at the Māori Community Centre.  

This five day trip included visits to a variety of employment and training sites. Amongst these were visits to the Auckland ‘Hospital Housekeeping Course’, a carpentry and motor mechanics trade training scheme, and the Post Office Telephone Centre. The group also visited Crown Lynn Potteries!  

During the 1960s, many Auckland companies were desperate for workers to keep up with the growing industrial market in New Zealand - Crown Lynn Potteries was no exception. Thus, the influx of young Māori into Tāmaki was well received. They performed all sorts of different roles within the factory – from stacking the kilns with green-ware for firing, to decorating cups and bowls with a variety of designs.  

The number of Māori working for Crown Lynn Potteries remained substantial throughout the following decades, with Māori making up 19% of the workforce in 1981 [4].  

Crown Lynn Potteries is one of many workplaces which played a role in the urbanisation of young Māori throughout the second half of the twentieth century. This article in Te Ao Hou illustrates how Aotearoa’s changing socio-economic environment influenced a myriad of people – not only those moving into urban spaces, but also their immediate and extended whānau. This period of rapid urban migration of Māori is foundational in understanding Aotearoa today, and it is interesting to explore the role of factories like Crown Lynn Potteries in this transition.   

[1] Paul Meredith, “Urban Māori - Urbanisation”, Te Ara, The Encylopedia of New Zealand, February 17, 2015. https://teara.govt.nz/en/urban-maori/page-1#:~:text=The%20urban%20migration%20of%20M%C4%81ori,continued%20into%20the%20early%201960s.  

[2] “Te Ao Hou”, National Library, https://natlib.govt.nz/collections/a-z/te-ao-hou. 

[3] “Northland Parents Visit Auckland”, Te Ao Hou, December 1966. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TAH196612.2.15?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=Crown+Lynn+&snippet=true 

[4] A. Longley, “Interhouse Correspondence, Ethnic Breakdown of Factory Staff”, Crown Lynn Ceramics (N.Z.) Limited, February 13, 1981. Portage Ceramics Trust Collection.