pacific

Happy families

'We had a marvellous life for the kids.'

Glad Carrick, Naenae resident, 1940

Glad's heartfelt comment captures an essential aim of state housing: to provide suburban homes for families, a place where children could grow up in safe and spacious surroundings, away from the dangers of the inner city. This guided state housing policy from the beginning. The houses built under Premier Richard Seddon's workers' dwellings scheme from 1905 were targeted at working families, invariably nuclear families: two parents with children. Successive governments continued the practice, believing the nuclear family to be the 'foundation of the nation', a foundation that required the buttressing of the state to remain grounded and true.

'They don't know I work. I'll go to jail if I get found out, but I work to feed and house my kids, I have to.'

State house tenant and beneficiary, Palmerston North, 1995

For low-paid workers and beneficiaries, making ends meet has always been a constant struggle. Unexpected bills will often blow budgets and asking for charity can be degrading. A lack of money also places strain on personal and other relationships, sometimes causing their breakdown. Life can be even tougher for those without a home of their own. The private rental market is often expensive – particularly in times of short supply – and sometimes discriminates against the poor and ethnic minorities. People in this situation often have to accept sub-standard accommodation or squeeze into a place too small for their needs.

New Zealand's Search for Security 1945–85
Case Study: Nuclear Free New Zealand

This case study examines New Zealand's involvement in the nuclear debate of the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in a breakdown of the ANZUS alliance in 1985. With particular emphasis on French nuclear testing in the Pacific and the nuclear ships row, this case study will provide teachers with:

• Activities to develop student understanding of this aspect of New Zealand's search for security in the period after Second World War
• A context with which to describe the causes and course of this historical development as well as the consequences of these developments (achievement standard 1.5)
• An opportunity to examine the influences, events and issues that led to the shaping of the identity of New Zealanders (achievement standard 1.6)
• Historical sources relating to this theme (achievement standard 1.3)

Most of the activities can be completed with reference to the feature Nuclear Free New Zealand. This is essential reading for these activities. Where appropriate other resource material has been provided.