New Zealand’s population reached three million in late 1973. The rate of natural increase then slowed as the contraceptive pill became more widely used and an economic downturn meant that young couples were less eager to start families. There were also more emigrants and fewer immigrants. The population had only reached 3.2 million by the end of the decade.
In 1975, the average weekly wage was $95 (equivalent to $920 in 2018). This rose to $157 by 1979, but because of inflation the average Kiwi was no better off. The minimum wage for adult workers was $1.95 an hour ($11.10 in 2018) and the average hourly rate was $4.52 ($26).
In 1970 the single state-run television channel (a second began broadcasting in 1975) broadcast 65 hours of programs each week. Color television arrived in 1973, but it was expensive. In 1975 a 26-inch set would set you back around $840 (more than $8000 in 2018) and its annual license fee of $35 ($340) was almost double that for a black and white set. With advertising restricted to weekdays for much of the decade, the license fee was an important source of revenue for television broadcasting.
The women’s movement grew in strength through the decade, influencing significant legislative and social changes. United Women’s Conventions attracted thousands in the main centers. The message of women’s rights was brought to the streets in marches and protests. Key issues for women included the right to safe legal abortion, pay equity, matrimonial property rights, and legislation to outlaw discrimination against women.
These amazing color photos from Dave's old slides show what life of New Zealand looked like during the 1970s.
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| Bluff, New Zealand, 1970 |
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| James Cook School, Marton, New Zealand, April 1970 |
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| Anderson House, Invercargill, New Zealand, 1970 |
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| Children's lamb feeding competition, Tuatapere, New Zealand, 1971 |
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| Fox Glacier Visitor Centre, New Zealand, 1971 |
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| On holiday, South Island, New Zealand, 1971 |
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| Outside a community hall, New Zealand, 1971 |
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| Park Hotel, Greymouth, West Coast, New Zealand, 1971 |
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| Ross, West Coast, New Zealand, 1971 |
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| Wellington from Molesworth Street showing the Old Government Buildings, New Zealand, 1971 |
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| Westport, New Zealand, 1971 |
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| Columbus America at Port Chalmers, January 1972 |
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| Men drinking next to Citroën DS near Fox Glacier, New Zealand, circa 1972 |
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| Rama Crescent, Khandallah, Wellington, 1972 |
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| Wellington from Rama Crescent, Khandallah, New Zealand, 1972 |
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| Arrowtown, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Ben Lomond Station, Otago, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Brownies at Dixon Park, Greymouth, West Coast, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Children at the Botanic Garden daffodil lawn, Dunedin, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Gilmer Hotel on Gresson Street, Greymouth,West Coast, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Guinness Street, Greymouth, West Coast, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Larnach Castle, Dunedin, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Lord Street, Greymouth, West Coast, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Palmerston North, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Park Hotel, Greymouth, West Coast, New Zealand, 1973 |
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| Camp site, South Island, New Zealand, 1974 |
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| Carlton Mill Road, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1974 |
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| Colombo Street, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1974 |
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| Commercial Hotel, Omakau, Central Otago, New Zealand, 1974 |
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| Dunedin Botanic Garden, New Zealand, 1974 |
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| Opotiki Hotel, Church Street, Ōpōtiki, New Zealand, 1974 |
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| Puketoi, Maniototo, New Zealand, 1974 |
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| Royal Hotel, Ōpōtiki, New Zealand, 1974 |
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| Woman with old farm machinery, Otago, New Zealand, 1974 |
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| Overlooking Arrowtown, Central Otago, New Zealand, 1975 |
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| Quarantine Island / Kamau Taurua, Otago Harbour, New Zealand, 1975 |
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| Queenstown Airport, New Zealand, 1975 |
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| Lawrence, Otago, New Zealand, 1976 |
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| Old Harold Bros store, Reefton, New Zealand, 1976 |
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| Worcester Street, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1976 |
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| Colombo, Hereford, and High streets, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1977 |
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| Austin A35 body and A30, Dunedin, New Zealand, circa 1978 |
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| Makarora, South Island, New Zealand, 1978 |
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| Ross Place, Lawrence, New Zealand, 1978 |
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| Lion Reserve, Orana Park, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1979 |
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| Queenstown, New Zealand, Summer 1979 |
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| Queenstown, New Zealand, Summer 1979 |
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| Queenstown, New Zealand, Summer 1979 |
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| H&H Leyland Comet coach at Lyvia River Bridge, New Zealand, circa 1970s |
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| Lower Stuart Street with sweeper, Dunedin, New Zealand, circa 1970s |
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