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Kōrero: Political values

New Zealand as a lion cub

Image
New Zealand as a lion cub

The idea of New Zealand as a better Britain is captured in this 1905 cartoon published in the British magazine Punch, showing the country as an upstart lion cub defeating its somewhat startled British parent. Success at rugby continues to be an important part of New Zealand’s culture, and a measure of the country’s character and confidence.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Reference: PD156

by Bernard Partridge

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Stephen Levine, Political values – Colonial political values, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/cartoon/36557/new-zealand-as-a-lion-cub (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Stephen Levine, i tāngia i te 29 May 2012.