
Postwar Welfare Expansion and International Leadership (Fraser and Holyoake)
- Peter Fraser and Keith Holyoake guided New Zealand through major social change, postwar reconstruction and early Cold War alignment.
- Fraser strengthened New Zealand’s welfare state through pensions, education and health reform.
- He expanded New Zealand’s international engagement by helping draft the United Nations Charter.
- Fraser promoted public housing programs to support returning soldiers and families.
- Holyoake focused on agricultural prosperity and strengthening ties with Britain.
- His government reinforced Cold War security through participation in ANZUS and SEATO.

Fraser and the Creation of the Welfare State (1940s)
Origins and Objectives
- Fraser expanded social security to reduce poverty and inequality.
- His government improved public healthcare through hospital upgrades.
- Education access increased with expanded secondary schooling.
- The state built thousands of affordable homes to support families.
- Policies promoted national stability during wartime and reconstruction.
Impact and Long-Term Significance
- Welfare reforms reduced economic hardship nationwide.
- Expanded education increased social mobility for working-class families.
- Investments strengthened long-term economic growth and productivity.
- The welfare state became part of national identity and political expectations.
- Fraser’s leadership elevated New Zealand’s global reputation.
Welfare state
System in which the government guarantees social protection through public services.
Social security
Financial assistance provided to citizens to ensure basic well-being.
Economic Management and Social Tensions (Muldoon)
- Robert Muldoon led New Zealand through economic difficulty, rising inflation and political conflict, relying on strong central control and interventionist policies.
- Muldoon imposed wage and price freezes to control inflation during economic downturns.
- His government launched large-scale Think Big energy and industrial projects.
- He strengthened state economic intervention to manage unemployment and rising costs.
- Social tensions grew due to economic hardship and confrontational political style.


