Making New Zealand - Manufacturing

Making New Zealand explores the crucial industries and infrastructure which (hopefully) advanced the nation. In this third season episode, manufacturing is in the spotlight, from the earliest trade of harekeke (flax) to building superyachts. Historians discuss the rise of homegrown brands like Dominion Breweries, Hudson's, Hallensteins and Fisher & Paykel, and the golden era of New Zealand manufacturing from the 1950s through to the 1970s. Then came decline — thanks to the global oil shock, soaring interest rates, Rogernomics and the move to scrap import licensing restrictions, which crippled local industries.

The interest in flour goes back to the first time that Māori went to Australia, and came back with bags of flour. So where could they grow wheat best in New Zealand. There was a record of experimentation . . . the 1850s, 1860s . . . most of the businesses were owned and managed by Māori, and they saw a market for flour.

– Historian Mānuka Hēnare on Māori involvement in flour production in the 1850s, early in this documentary

Key Cast & Crew

Thomas Robins

Producer

Stephen Gallagher

Composer

John Fraser

Editor

George Murahidy

Cinematographer

Mark Clare

Narrator

Robyn Paterson

Director