Farming in New Zealand

A pocket survey of Kiwi farming back in 1952, this National Film Unit short argues that thanks to self-reliance and research, New Zealand ranks as "one of the world’s great farming countries". Photographer Brian Brake captures arresting high contrast imagery: cattle move in silhouette against the sky; dust-caked fertiliser trucks emerge from clouds of lime; shirtless WWII veterans load silage onto harvesters. Meanwhile an upbeat, nationalistic voiceover pays homage to the holy trinity of good pasture, stock and climate. Also covered are the lives of farmer's wives, local geography, and just how handy electricity can be. 

There are two million dairy cows in the country, one for every New Zealander.

– Narrator Bruce Weir

Key Cast & Crew

Oxley Hughan

Director, Writer

Brian Brake

Cinematographer

Bruce Weir

Narrator

Bob Kingsbury

Editor, Writer