264,907 signatures

264,907 signatures

On 26 May 1970 the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society delivered its third 'Save Manapouri' petition to parliament. It contained 264,907 signatures, at that time the largest petition seen in this country.

Almost 10 percent of New Zealand's population signed the petition, which demanded that the Government reconsider its decision to raise the level of Lake Manapouri.

This photograph published in The Dominion emphasises the sheer volume of support for the cause. Staff struggle to control boxes full with petition forms as they are prepared for delivery to parliament. The 'Save Manapouri' slogan is emblazoned across the central box. It is a perfectly stage-managed image that actively supports the campaign, rather than simply documenting it.

Percy Allen, Minister of Works and Electricity, disputed the petition's validity. He claimed that 180,000 children had signed, many of them in primary school. Allen argued that the signatures of 12 good conservationists would carry more weight. Forest and Bird countered by pointing out the signatures of 34 conservationists.

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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