Story: Nation and government

Ministry of Works and Development staff

Ministry of Works and Development staff

Historically, the state has played an important part in developing the New Zealand economy. For many years the Public Works Department (which became the Ministry of Works in 1948 and the Ministry of Works and Development in 1974) undertook most major construction work in New Zealand, including roads and power stations. After the reform of the state sector, beginning in 1984, the ministry disappeared and its remnants now have to compete for government work. This photograph shows members of the Ministry of Works and Development architecture division in Wellington participating in a ‘bad tie’ competition in 1984.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1984/5169/10-F
Photograph by Ian Mackley

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:

John Wilson, 'Nation and government - The state sector and Crown entities', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/2632/ministry-of-works-and-development-staff (accessed 21 April 2024)

Story by John Wilson, updated 1 Sep 2016