Cartoonists and the campaign

Cartoonists and the campaign

The media was instrumental in spreading the 'Save Manapouri' message and applying political pressure to decision-makers. Campaigner Ron McLean noted that momentum snowballed following the screening of a television programme on the issue.

Cartoonists Nevile Lodge, Sid Scales, Eric Heath and Peter Bromhead all addressed the Manapouri issue. Their cartoons increased in ferocity and number in the lead-up to the 1972 election.

In the best satirical tradition, not all of these cartoons backed the campaign. The issue provided cartoonists with ample opportunities to poke fun at Government officials. But attention was also turned to the campaigners and the new spirit of conservation sweeping the land.

Eric Heath was the Dominion's political cartoonist for 28 years. This original ink cartoon shows supporters for the raising of Lake Manapouri being drowned under a rising tide of public opposition.

Permission of the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa must be obtained before any reuse of this image

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