De Huiskamer - Just a Tad Different...

Dutch families settled all over the country. They were 'pepperpotted' around by the Government of the day. Most New Zealanders therefore, have memories of visiting Dutch families, and finding that things looked very different in their living rooms. With heaps of potplants, Delfts Blauw, and rugs on the table.

The Dutch mothers would create visual beacons of Dutchness.  De huiskamer was the place where Dutch was spoken, where the card games were played,  books were read, and where everybody would listen to the radio (Philips, of course!).

Today, the story is the same. You will still find Delft Blue plates, and little clogs. And family time is still of the utmost importance.