Page 65 - Ultimate Australia

agricultural prices rose dramatically. Soon, the country could boast one of the highest per-
capita incomes in the world. And New Zealand’s progressive social welfare system made it the
envy of many. New Zealand was home to the world’s most comfortable middle class, with few
very rich and relatively few very poor.

Politically, New Zealand has been in the forefront of social welfare legislation for over a
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adopted old age pensions (1898); a national child welfare program (1907); social security
for the aged, widows, and orphans (1938); and minimum wages, a 40-hour workweek,
and unemployment and health insurance (also in 1938). Socialized medicine went into
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The Modern Era

In 1953, the entire world came to learn of the astounding accomplishment of a man who
would soon become New Zealand’s most famous native, Edmund Percival Hillary. On May 29,
1953, Hillary, along with Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, made history by ascending Mount
Everest. Together, these two men went where no men had ever been. Born in Auckland in
1919, Hillary honed his climbing skills on the mountains of his homeland, particularly Mt.
Ruapehu located in Tongariro National Park. Of his historic feat and international acclaim,
Hillary humbly commented, “In some ways I believe I epitomize the average New Zealander: I
have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination, and I rather like to
succeed.”

The 1970s saw a revival of Maori culture, driven by a demand for recognition and participation
in economic prosperity. In 1985, the Treaty of Waitangi was amended to include claims dating
back to the original signing of the treaty in 1840. Financial reparations were made to several
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Drawing attention on the international stage, New Zealanders have adamantly protested
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Greenpeace ship in the Auckland harbor was sunk by French intelligence agents. One
crewmember was killed. New Zealand immediately banned any nuclear-armed or nuclear-
powered ships, including those of the U.S. Navy, from its ports. By 1991, relations between the
U.S. and New Zealand, weakened by the 1985 anti-nuclear ban, began to improve.

Major events taking place in New Zealand in recent years include the 1996 eruption of
Mount Ruapehu, whose ash clouds made air travel problematic all across the country. On the
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succeeded by Helen Clark in 1999 and by John Key in 2008. The Christchurch earthquakes of
February 2011 drew international outreach and support. Many countries—the U.S. included—
sent search and rescue teams or other aid.

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