1970s

Vietnam War

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  The Vietnam War was New Zealand's longest and most controversial overseas military experience. Although this country's troop commitment and casualties were modest, the conflict aroused widespread protest and condemnation. And for those who fought in Vietnam, it was a tough homecoming.

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• Page 1 - The Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War was New Zealand's longest and most controversial overseas military experience. Although this country's troop commitment and casualties were modest, the conflict

The 1970s

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  The 1970s were an era of economic and social change. Global oil shocks hit the New Zealand economy hard, while protests against the Vietnam War and nuclear testing continued. A new generation of activists raised questions about race relations, sexuality and the welfare system in New Zealand.

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• Page 2 – Overview

  Summary of what NZ was like in the 1970s, including our population, economy, popular culture, protest issues, politics and sporting achievements

• Page 3 – 1970 - key events

  A selection of key events from 1970

• Page 4 – 1971 - key events

  A selection of key events from 1971

• Page 5 – 1972 - key events

  Selection of key events from 1972

• Page 6 – 1973 - key events

  Selection of key events from 1973

• Page 7 – 1974 - key events

  Selection of events from 1974

• Page 8 – 1975 - key events

  A selection of key events from 1975

• Page 9 – 1976 - key events

  A selection of key events for 1976

• Page 10 – 1977 - key events

  A selection of key events from 1977

• Page 11 – 1978 - key events

  A selection of key events from 1978

• Page 12 – 1979 - key events

  A selection of key events from 1979

• Page 13 – Further information

  Books and website links related to New Zealand in the 1970s

Viceregal visiting

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  'To be invisible is to be forgotten,' constitutional theorist Walter Bagehot (1826–77) warned. For the King or Queen's New Zealand representative, the Governor-General, that meant hitting the road

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• Page 4 - Some say yes; some say noLike his predecessors, Sir Denis Blundell (1972–7) travelled widely throughout New

1981 Springbok tour

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  For 56 days in July, August and September 1981, New Zealanders were divided against each other in the largest civil disturbance seen since the 1951 waterfront dispute. The cause of this was the visit of the South African rugby team – the Springboks.

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• Page 4 - Stopping the 1973 tourKeeping sport and politics separate was becoming increasingly difficult. In July 1969 HART (Halt All Racist Tours) was founded by University of Auckland students with the specific

Waitangi Day

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  Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. For most people, Waitangi Day is a holiday; for many, and especially for Māori, it is a time for reflecting on the Treaty and its place in modern New Zealand.

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• Page 5 - Waitangi Day 1970sWaitangi Day, a public holiday from 1974, briefly became New Zealand Day in the 1970s. Increasingly, it became a focus for Māori protest