A party political broadcast for the National Party 1975 General Election campaign.
Introductory voice: “The following is a party political broadcast on behalf of the National Party. Tonight: The Cities.”
The animation forming the first part of the commercial begins as cartoon hands open a book entitled “NZ” which, initially, depicts tranquil urban scenes. Voiceover begins: “There was a time when New Zealand cities were quiet and clean ....”
The cartoon, produced by US studio Hanna-Barbera, ultimately portrays the coming horrors of overpopulation in our cities; lack of housing, poor schooling, and unemployment. This sequence includes an alarmist portrayal of racial conflict.
Voiceover: “... Then one day there weren’t enough jobs either. The people became angry” - here an angry Pacific Islander - “And violence broke out. Especially among those who had come from other places expecting great things.” A Paheka and a Pacific Islander brawl.
The camera moves in on Brian Talboys, deputy leader of the National Party, standing above The Terrace on the deserted, under construction, Wellington Urban Motorway. “Before we reach the year 2000,” he explains, “90% of us are going to be living in the cities. What we do now is going to decide what kind of places those cities will be. National has developed a plan to make them better places to live ....”
National’s Superannuation-themed commercial (C1555) from the same campaign brought us the widely-remembered dancing Cossacks.