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Story: Population change

Effects of the baby boom

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The post-Second World War baby boom had serious implications for the development of public services and infrastructure. The 1957 National Film Unit production Plan for progress highlighted the need for new schools, improved electricity supply and transport infrastructure to cater for the rapidly growing population.

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Archives New Zealand – Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Plan for Progress. National Film Unit, 1957

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Ian Pool and Natalie Jackson, Population change – Pākehā age structure and dependency, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/28736/effects-of-the-baby-boom (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ian Pool and Natalie Jackson, published 21 April 2011, reviewed and revised 23 August 2018 with assistance from Natalie Jackson.