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Story: National Party

A family affair

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A family affair

National's support for family values is showcased in this 1949 election brochure titled A family affair, which presented family life as a foundation of a cohesive society. The image depicts an idealised young family gathered together in their living room and playing with their dog. The style of the fireplace (neo-Georgian) emphasises that this family is living in their own home and not a state house (public housing), underscoring another core National value, self-reliance.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: Eph-A-NZ-NATIONAL-1949-01-cover

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Colin James, National Party – Party principles, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/ephemera/33889/a-family-affair (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Colin James, published 21 March 2012, updated 1 July 2020.