The pursuit of city life is one of the most important untold stories of New Zealand. The Big Smoke is the first comprehensive history to tell this story, presenting a dynamic and highly illustrated account of city life from 1840 to 1920.It explores such questions as: what did cities look like and how did they change; why were women especially drawn to live in cities; in what ways did Maori experience and shape cities; how far was the street a living room and stage for city life; and why did New Zealand so quickly became a nation of townspeople?At a time of national debate over housing and the growth of our cities, Ben Schrader's superb new history reveals how our urban origins have shaped the people we are today.