Washing  on the Ohau

Many households drew water from the channel for domestic use and the washing of clothes in the river was a normal activity. Local women would gather for washing

day, scrubbing clothes on washboards with sunlight soap. The local women would catch up on the latest news or gossip. Te Heru Tamati remembers in the early 70s,

carting Nanny Merita Rapana’s washing basket from just below the bridge to her washing line by the Church.

Helping our kuia was a great way for us kids to earn a

lolly or treat.