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Story: Bodybuilding, weightlifting and powerlifting

Mr New Zealand, 1940

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Mr New Zealand, 1940

Lionel Harris of Napier won the title of Mr New Zealand as part of the country's centennial celebrations in 1940. A Miss New Zealand contest was also held, which was won by Joy Asquith of Wellington. The New Zealand Amateur Weight-Lifter's Association organised both contests, with the goal of finding winners who would provide 'an inspiration to fitness' for the people of New Zealand. 

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: New Zealand Amateur Weight-Lifter’s Association programme, national centennial championships, 1940. Lower Hutt: H. & P. C. Print, 1940, cover (S-L-859-COVER)

Photograph is a detail from the book cover

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

Peter Clayworth, Bodybuilding, weightlifting and powerlifting – Bodybuilding, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/40877/mr-new-zealand-1940 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Peter Clayworth, published 19 February 2013, updated 27 January 2015.

Comments

Dana Patterson
22 March 2025
This is my Grandfather