Story: Pregnancy, birth and baby care

Lawson quintuplets

In July 1965 Shirley Ann Lawson gave birth to five children (four girls and one boy) – the first set of quintuplets born in New Zealand. The Lawson family was instantly famous, but the happy family scenes captured on the National Film Unit's pictorial parade did not last. Sam and Shirley Ann Lawson split up when the quins were six. Shirley Ann remarried some years later, but was murdered by her second husband in 1982.

Using this item

Archives New Zealand – Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference: Pictorial Parade 168. National Film Unit, 1965

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Pregnancy, birth and baby care - Birth rates', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/26178/lawson-quintuplets (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 24 Oct 2018