Story: Death rates and life expectancy

Healthy New Zealand (2nd of 2)

Healthy New Zealand

The colony of New Zealand was regarded as a 'healthy district', and birth and death statistics for its settlers were of interest for comparative purposes. The healthy rural life that settlers were believed to live is depicted in this idealised pastoral scene showing the Nelson settlement in 1842. The image was used to promote Nelson to potential immigrants.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PUBL-0011-06-1
Tinted lithograph by John Waring Saxton

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.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Ian Pool, 'Death rates and life expectancy - Recording births and deaths', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/26567/healthy-new-zealand (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Ian Pool, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 14 Mar 2019