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This presentation was made in 1943 by the British Ministry of Information. The Ministry was formed in 1939 to produce publicity and propaganda for distribution at home and abroad during the Second World War. This film was not shown in Britain.
The film illustrates what life was like on the Home Front in Aotearoa New Zealand during the Second World War, showing a variety of roles that New Zealanders contributed to the war effort and emphasising the part of women in stepping into work previously only considered suitable for men. Women are shown working as tram conductors, ticket collectors and a variety of other roles, such as transforming wastepaper into medical supplies. The manufacture of weapons, uniforms and equipment are also highlighted, along with the important role of sheep farmers in supplying meat and wool both at home and to the forces overseas.
The film also captures New Zealand army, navy and medical field training, including shots of the Māori Battalion marching. Troops for home defence receive the same training as soldiers in the field and are shown guarding the coastline, power stations and dams, while the mounted home guard traverse larger and often more inaccessible areas of New Zealand. The film concludes by showing the important roles that women played in the territorial service as radio operators, parachute packers and ground crew working on the airfield.
Footage in the film includes:
Shots around Nelson; Government Gardens and active geothermal areas in Rotorua; mountain and glacier areas.
Women working as tram conductors (Newtown, Wellington) and railway porters (Wellington railway station).
Women spinning, carding and knitting woollen garments for soldiers and shots from a large modern factory mass-producing woollen uniforms.
Heavy engineering factories producing a variety of items, including tin helmets being pressed in moulds and women assembling hand grenades.
A mounted home guard detachment crossing a river.
Scenes from home defence troop training and setting up of mobile field hospitals showing army trucks, tents and equipment such as an x-ray machine and operating theatre.
Shots of women in the territorial service being drilled and inspected.
Please note: the narration heard in this film reflects the time period it was made. Some descriptions may be offensive to some viewers.