Beyond 1960 - protest and dissent

A divided society

Looking back, the period from 1940 to 1960 is often seen as a 'golden age' of stability, consensus and prosperity in New Zealand, and in many ways it was. However, as the events discussed above show, society was deeply divided on matters such as pacifism, class and ideology, and regional interests, and many New Zealanders were prepared to stand up for what they believed in.

Over the following decades New Zealand would experience many more protests, over issues such as sporting contacts with South Africa, the Vietnam War, nuclear weapons and the environment.