Kōrero: Contraception and sterilisation

A clerk at a Social Security district office distributes copies of the Mazengarb report along with the family benefit in November 1954. The report, sent to every New Zealand home, was sparked by a teenage sex scandal in Lower Hutt. The report led to stricter censorship and restrictions on contraceptive advice to young people. On contraceptives, the report stated that 'no responsible father or mother would countenance their possession by their young sons and daughters'.