New protest issues in nz
Nga Tamatoa on the steps of parliament 1972- Key Idea: A shift to a broad range of protests issues in NZ was a long-term consequence of protest against the Vietnam War in NZ.
Consequently new protest issues emerged for New Zealander's that reflected mounting movements overseas. These movements included the re-emergence of women's liberation and the environmental Save the Manapouri campaign, the continuation of protests against our sporting contact with South Africa, the newly formed gay liberation campaign and a reaffirmation of our anti-nuclear stance. Protest had shifted from focus on the Vietnam War to a wide range of issues questioning all facets of society.
Maori activism and 'black consciousness' saw a particular resurgence in NZ following the war. Groups such as the Nga Tamatoa (Young Warriors) campaigned for uniquely Maori issues such as the prevention of land loss and to stop the celebration of Waitangi Day till treaty grievances had been fully acknowledged. They were also concerned with our sporting contact with South Africa as it was a racial issue. Pacific groups such as the Polynesian Panthers were also on the rise as Auckland became the Pacific's largest Polynesian city. They challenged issues of discrimination in NZ and also supported Maori issues such as the Bastion Point occupation and Land Hikoi in 1975.
A further protest movement re-emerged in the 1980's when the Labour government introduced a series of economic reforms. Named after the finance minister Roger Douglas they were dubbed 'Rogernomics'. Tens of thousands of workers concerned with declining wages and rising unemployment led to an increase in workplace strikes, the first increase since the 1951 waterfront dispute.