Ams 483/2: "With the Maories Motiti" Manuscript - Journal entry
Laura Constance Dunnage was born in 1874 in Papanui, Christchurch, the youngest of eleven children of farmer George Dunnage (1830-1904) and his wife Louisa née Bowron (1831-1905). She attended the Christchurch School of Art between 1892 and 1896.
It is unknown why she moved to Tauranga but it is however possible that she relocated because one of her older brothers Walter Henry Dunnage, a former government surveyor lived in Waipapa – near Aongatete. Laura Dunnage brought a field camera – probably half-plate – with her to Tauranga, and demonstrated that she was already quite proficient in its use by capturing a series of views of the townscape.
Together with a party of friends Laura made an expedition to Mōtītī Island in the yacht Hopara, probably in December 1902, returning with at least two dozen exposed glass plates, although some may have been taken on other trips to the island. She pasted prints of these in an album that was later digitised by the Tauranga City Libraries.CreatorDunnage, Laura Constance, 1874-1957LevelCollectionExtent1 boxSystem of ArrangementThe items in this collection have maintained its original order. To retain original order, the items have been kept in two files and one item. To aid access, the files and items have been arranged into two series.LanguageEnglishTe Reo MāoriSourcesLaura Dunnage, photographer
Kaitiakitanga StatementPlease use taonga Māori materials provided by Te Ao Mārama: Tauranga City Libraries appropriately. This includes being respectful and mindful of the creator/s, as well as the mana and dignity of people, iwi and hapū group/s, and the environmental subjects depicted in the material.CopyrightNo known copyrightAccess ConditionsNo access restrictions apply to this collectionAcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 483
Dunnage, Laura Constance, 1874-1957, Papers of Laura Dunnage (1901 to 1903). Pae Korokī, accessed 27/03/2026, https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/58675
