1951

In 1951, New Zealand temporarily became a police state. Civil liberties were curtailed, freedom of speech denied, and people could be imprisoned for providing food to those involved. This award-winning documentary tells the story of the 1951 lockout of waterside workers, and what followed: an extended nationwide strike, confrontation and censorship. There are interviews with many involved, from workers to journalists and police. At the 2002 NZ Television Awards, 1951 won awards for Best Documentary and Documentary Director (John Bates). Costa Botes backgrounds 1951 here.

I saw families broken up, I saw brother fighting brother, marriages breaking up. The whole thing was a very very bitter pill to swallow. And then to be branded as an enemy of the country when only just a few years earlier they waved flags and called you a hero, was pretty difficult to take.

– Lyttelton watersider Baden Norris

Key Cast & Crew

Peter Elliott

Narrator

Bryan Shaw

Editor

John Bates

Director, Producer

Peter Kraan

Sound Recordist

Karen Bates

Script Editor , Research

Tom Ludvigson

Composer