The Aotearoa History Show - Episode 10 | The Great Depression

Summary

The early 1920s brought optimism to New Zealand with economic growth and social progress, but by the late 1920s the country was ravaged by the Great Depression. Unemployment reached 30% and many suffered in isolated rural work camps. The depression galvanized the Labour Party under Michael Joseph Savage to enact sweeping social welfare reforms when they took power in 1935, although their triumph was boosted by improving global conditions. Māori also suffered greatly in the depression, which spurred political organization like Rātana. The late 1930s saw rising living standards before New Zealand entered World War II.

Takeaways

• 😊 The early 1920s had optimism - hydro dams, railways, Olympics team, Katherine Mansfield's writing success
• 😟 But NZ economy relied totally on agricultural exports to UK - vulnerable to price crashes
• 💸 1928-1934 export prices crashed 45%, 30% of men unemployed, relief payments introduced
• 😢 Unemployed men sent to rural work camps in harsh conditions, away from families
• 👵 Women suffered more - social taboos against married women working, single mums struggled
• 😡 'Angry Autumn' 1932 - riots & looting in Auckland by unemployed workers angry about hunger
• 🙏 NZ Labour Party under Michael Joseph Savage gained support with message to address inequality
• 👍 1938 Social Security Act introduced unemployment benefits, free healthcare and education
• 🏘 Building state houses for working families was a major policy - 5,000 built by 1939
• ♀️ Some progress for Māori but still injustice - less land ownership, loss of language due to education policies

Q & A

What were some positive developments in New Zealand in the early 1920s, despite the challenges with veterans?

There was economic growth thanks to the war. Major infrastructure projects like hydroelectric dams and railway lines were built. New institutions like Massey Agricultural College were founded. New Zealand sent its first Olympic team in 1920. Katherine Mansfield achieved international literary acclaim.

How did the Great Depression impact New Zealand, economically and socially?

At least 80,000 men lost their jobs. The government introduced relief payments and work schemes, but conditions in rural work camps were very difficult. Many families struggled with hunger and insecurity. Women faced additional hardships due to social attitudes.

How did the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake compound the challenges of the Great Depression?

The earthquake killed 256 people and left thousands homeless without basic necessities, further straining government finances and services.

How did the NZ Labour Party and its leader Michael Joseph Savage evolve in the early 1930s?

The party moderated some radical policies to appeal to voters struggling in the Depression. Savage promoted a message of "applied Christianity" and making sure no one went hungry or without necessities.

What factors contributed to Labour's landslide 1935 election victory?

Voters responded to Labour's message after years of economic struggle. Also the recovering world economy and borrowing freedom inherited from previous government policies helped facilitate Labour's reform plans.

What were some of Labour's major policy reforms after they took power?

They introduced unemployment benefits, health care, education, welfare payments and state housing programs aimed to support New Zealanders "from the cradle to the grave."

How did Māori communities suffer disproportionately in the Great Depression?

40% of Māori men were unemployed compared to 12% of Pākehā. It was harder for Māori to access government aid programs and the relief payments they received were lower.

How did key Māori leaders like Āpirana Ngata and Te Puea Hērangi contribute in this era?

Ngata helped secure government funding for Māori land development and culture/language preservation. Te Puea led efforts to reclaim confiscated Waikato land and revitalize the Kīngitanga movement.

What was the Rātana movement and what political success did they have?

A religious/political movement led by Tahupōtiki Rātana. They formed an alliance with Labour in the 1930s and won all four Māori parliamentary seats by 1943.

How did education policies in this era damage Māori language and culture?

The government deliberately limited Māori secondary education and banned te reo Māori in schools. This eroded language fluency over generations as parents opted not to teach children te reo.