Story: Clothing and footwear manufacturing

Employees in the clothing industry

Employees in the clothing industry

Clothing factories were large employers from the late 19th to the late 20th centuries. This graph shows a dip during the 1930s depression, strong growth during the Second World War and just afterwards – and a slide from the 1980s with the lowering of tariffs and easing of import restrictions. In 2005 there were around 8,500 people employed in the apparel sector, compared with almost 21,000 in 1966.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: New Zealand official yearbook

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Jane Tolerton, 'Clothing and footwear manufacturing - From mass market to niche market', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/graph/23991/employees-in-the-clothing-industry (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Jane Tolerton, published 11 Mar 2010