Story: Public service

Public servants: parliamentary tea lady, 1982 (3rd of 3)

Public servants: parliamentary tea lady, 1982

Millie Cottam, parliamentary tea lady, poses with her trolley on the Beehive's eighth floor in 1982. In that year Prime Minister Robert Muldoon announced that Cottam’s position had been abolished as a cost-saving measure. She was shocked at being given notice after four years in the job.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP-Government-Govt Depts-Office of PM-01

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:

Richard Shaw, 'Public service - What is the public service?', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/33009/public-servants-parliamentary-tea-lady-1982 (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Richard Shaw, published 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 8 Mar 2021