Story: New Zealand identity

First World War recruiting poster

First World War recruiting poster

This poster from 1915 represents the United Kingdom as a lion surrounded by the young cubs of the British Empire. From 1850 until at least the early 1960s most New Zealanders thought of New Zealand as a 'British' country and a loyal member of the British Empire. It was only in the last decades of the 20th century that ideas of New Zealand as having a South Pacific identity very different from the United Kingdom became stronger.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: GH016383
Poster by Arthur Wardle

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Fiona Barker, 'New Zealand identity - Understanding New Zealand national identity', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/ephemera/34598/first-world-war-recruiting-poster (accessed 3 May 2024)

Story by Fiona Barker, published 20 Jun 2012