Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Photograph
Linked To
Location (city or town)
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work even for commercial purposes, as long as you credit us and license your new creations under the identical terms. All new works based on ours will carry the same licence; so any derivatives will also allow commercial use.
Menu
Wharfies Strike, Greymouth.1951.
Expand/collapse
About this image
DescriptionThe waterfront dispute of 1951 was the biggest industrial confrontation in New Zealand’s history,lasting 151 days, from February to July – and involved more workers. At its peak, 22,000 waterside workers (wharfies) and other unionists were off the job, out of the country's population of just under two million.
The 1951 confrontation was the culmination of decades of unrest on the wharves. The waterfront occupied a strategic place in New Zealand’s export economy and had long been a flashpoint of industrial conflict. This country’s two largest strikes prior to 1951 – in 1890 and 1913 – were both largely centred on the wharves.
The dispute took place in a climate of Cold War suspicion. The opposing sides denounced each other as Nazis, Commies, traitors and terrorists. It polarised politics and split the union movement, leaving a bitter legacy that lingers to this day. The combatants could not even agree on what to call the dispute – the employers and government described it as a strike, but to the waterside workers it was a lockout.
Read more by clicking on the external link below.
Photo by John Charlton
From the Grey District Council John Charlton collection.Kete West Coast.PhotographerJohn CharltonMap[1] External LinkNZ HistoryNZ on Screen
The 1951 confrontation was the culmination of decades of unrest on the wharves. The waterfront occupied a strategic place in New Zealand’s export economy and had long been a flashpoint of industrial conflict. This country’s two largest strikes prior to 1951 – in 1890 and 1913 – were both largely centred on the wharves.
The dispute took place in a climate of Cold War suspicion. The opposing sides denounced each other as Nazis, Commies, traitors and terrorists. It polarised politics and split the union movement, leaving a bitter legacy that lingers to this day. The combatants could not even agree on what to call the dispute – the employers and government described it as a strike, but to the waterside workers it was a lockout.
Read more by clicking on the external link below.
Photo by John Charlton
From the Grey District Council John Charlton collection.Kete West Coast.PhotographerJohn CharltonMap[1] External LinkNZ HistoryNZ on Screen
Shown in this image
Location (city or town)GreymouthOrganisation (eg business)Wharfies' UnionEventWharfies Strike, Greymouth.1951.
From Facebook
Date Created24th August 2019CommentsAnne Honey Back in the 60s i saw a letter written from parliment to a business owner detailing what would happen if he supported the families or lockout workers. Does anyone still have their letter.
Mary Moffitt I don't know about a letter, but my father was a storekeeper and he clearly supported any workers he knew. Work was his ethic. He lost almost everything, not through anything political, but through his heart. The first obvious thing was that the shelves in his store became less crowded with goods.
Mary Moffitt Then the family car disappeared. So did his bank balance, almost to bankruptcy, but only from doing what he thought was right. When families needed food, they got it. When they could not pay, he did not push them. His attitude was that we were all in it together and he could not stand to see hungry children. Many large families did not ever catch up financially so they never did pay. Cliff understood that. He never told me until days before he died. Deep inside I think he needed some recognition for what he had done, so I was the only recipient of the knowledge at first. He had been a deeply unhappy and hungry child, and so he had done his best to help needy children. His own need was never going to be met because the people involved were never in a position to disclose the secret.
Geoffrey King Mary I had also heard what you have related above he was generous but I am shocked to hear that people never settled their debt over time....defeats the principals ....and drags another dwn with them, well nearly in this case
David Coach-man it was a Lock Out not a strike!
JohnJanis Fensom My dad Johnny Carter bottom left.
y
Brian Longley JohnJanis Fensom Butch.
Brian Longley I remember being at the garage in front of Rawcliffs in Cobden while they distributed meat sent over from Christchurch by the freezing workers union.
Anne Honey Good grief Janis Fensom didn't recognize him.
Heather Newby excellent historical documentary.. Im watching the series now.My Dad would have loved it. He was working in Dobson Mine at the time and would have been 26.
Shelley Hickling My husband Rod has Jim Hickling's loyalty card from the strike. It's something he really treasures. Jim's twin brother who was a policeman could have the family over for a meal but not Jim!
Natesha Ramsay Shelley Hickling i didn't realise there were twins in our family.
Shelley Hickling Yep, Geandad Hickling had a twin bro, Ralph.xxx
Les Holmes Germanicus Lock out...not strike. Slimy Sid and his tory party were in power then.Allan Wasley my dad got his loyalty card, and it was an enforced lock out
Owen Winstanley Les Holmes Germanicus It was strictly speaking a lockout but in reality the workers could have gone back had they chosen to do so, on the original terms of course. That they chose to stay out put the 'dispute' more in the form of a strike. Splitting hairs, maybe, but I think the workers deserve to be credited with staying out and not acquiescing to the employer demands.
Heather Newby The 6th part of this documentary is quite sad... Especially about Jock Barnes being blacklisted. https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/1951-2001...
Margaret Wilde My grandad 4th row frm front. Closest to car. Wow.
Beverley Inwood Your mum and Darcy looked like him
Kevin Fleming It was a watersides dispute primarily and as to union ethos of the time,the Miners went out in solidarity.It was just those times when working people had only got ahead by the strength and solidarity of their union.I was 12 at the time and gained such life experience from the genuine urge of these amazing people to better themselves.
Sue Martin Graeme De Goldi John Carter front row left
Graeme De Goldi Sue Martin yeah that's what I thought
Kyle Webster Recently saw the doco '1951' (also on Youtube) which also showed images of Denniston and interviews
Elizabeth Betty Woods My dad was involved as well, he was based in Wellington.
Glenda McMinn Front left is Mr Carter (Joni Carter grandad) front right is my Grandad Winkie Mcminn senior)
Janet Kilkelly Second from left with hat and scarf is my Dad Jim Gordon
Karen Lawson I nursed a Jack Goodall at Westland Hospital Hokitika in the late 60s. Could it have been your Granddad.
t
Jill Broadhurst Karen Lawson No, granddad died in 1963, aged 65 after never having had a day off work through illness! Sadly died shortly after retirement
Karen Lawson JillBroadhurst Sorry to hear Jill. The Jack I nursed was a lovely man.
Anne Honey Heather Newby thanks it was a lock out and a very nasty one. The government behaved appallingly.
Jude McMillan Not only in Greymouth. My Grandad was in this strike, he was at Port Chalmers. I have his card saying that he lasted the full 150 something days.
Russell Campbell Jude McMillan my father was at lyttleton lockout lasted 151 days.i still have his loyalty card
Heather Newby it was a Lock Out not a strike
Mike Beeby Nicola Cotterill what was Craig’s granddads name?
Nicola Cotterill he was Frank, think that is a relation though maybe? Jill is maybe Craig's mum's cousin?
Barney Adler Tom Kelkelly second from the wright.
Robert Edwards That would be my Uncle then.
Jill Broadhurst Robert Edwards yes, hello Robert!
Robert Edwards Hello Jill, I were on the coast a few weeks ago, were in Blaketown, tried to spot the house but could not remember which one it was, had the right street, mine you most probably change a bit by now.
Jill Broadhurst Robert Edwards number 58 Blake Street. It looks a wee bit different now.
Robert Edwards Just had a look on street, view I were looking at the right group of houses, but would have picked the one beside it No 62
Jill Broadhurst Robert Edwards it was number 58. ( green fence) The house has been well maintained, but the veranda is different. Nana would have been pleased ...she was very house proud! I loved going there, old coal range, pikelets on the girdle ...cosy living room!
Robert Edwards Yep there was always food and a drink, and the big heavy curtain, between the living room and the hall I think
Lois Iacoppi There is a J Goodall on a war memorial saw it yesterday, I was Goodall my Dad was Victor any relationship?
Jill Broadhurst Lois Iacoppi hi Lois, I don’t know. There’s a few Goodies around!
Margaret Wilde Grandad. Tony Inwood 4th man back without hat near car.
Ellen Te Aho I remember staying with the Goodall's in Blaketown when I was competing in the Dance Competitions. Errol I think was an outstanding cornet/trumpet player and Alison a dancer. Their older brother played rugby for Blaketown team. Lovely family x
Jill Broadhurst Ellen Te Aho yes, Ellen, lovely family .. the Goodalls you mention are my mother’s cousins. From grandad’s brother.
Ellen Te Aho Jill Broadhurst also cousins to dear friends from Reefton, the Dennisons, Mervya and Kay. Their Dad Uncle Eric and Aunty Ida were brother and sister
Tony Shirley Watters My uncle Jim Gordon is second on the right ,with the hat on .
Mary Moffitt I don't know about a letter, but my father was a storekeeper and he clearly supported any workers he knew. Work was his ethic. He lost almost everything, not through anything political, but through his heart. The first obvious thing was that the shelves in his store became less crowded with goods.
Mary Moffitt Then the family car disappeared. So did his bank balance, almost to bankruptcy, but only from doing what he thought was right. When families needed food, they got it. When they could not pay, he did not push them. His attitude was that we were all in it together and he could not stand to see hungry children. Many large families did not ever catch up financially so they never did pay. Cliff understood that. He never told me until days before he died. Deep inside I think he needed some recognition for what he had done, so I was the only recipient of the knowledge at first. He had been a deeply unhappy and hungry child, and so he had done his best to help needy children. His own need was never going to be met because the people involved were never in a position to disclose the secret.
Geoffrey King Mary I had also heard what you have related above he was generous but I am shocked to hear that people never settled their debt over time....defeats the principals ....and drags another dwn with them, well nearly in this case
David Coach-man it was a Lock Out not a strike!
JohnJanis Fensom My dad Johnny Carter bottom left.
y
Brian Longley JohnJanis Fensom Butch.
Brian Longley I remember being at the garage in front of Rawcliffs in Cobden while they distributed meat sent over from Christchurch by the freezing workers union.
Anne Honey Good grief Janis Fensom didn't recognize him.
Heather Newby excellent historical documentary.. Im watching the series now.My Dad would have loved it. He was working in Dobson Mine at the time and would have been 26.
Shelley Hickling My husband Rod has Jim Hickling's loyalty card from the strike. It's something he really treasures. Jim's twin brother who was a policeman could have the family over for a meal but not Jim!
Natesha Ramsay Shelley Hickling i didn't realise there were twins in our family.
Shelley Hickling Yep, Geandad Hickling had a twin bro, Ralph.xxx
Les Holmes Germanicus Lock out...not strike. Slimy Sid and his tory party were in power then.Allan Wasley my dad got his loyalty card, and it was an enforced lock out
Owen Winstanley Les Holmes Germanicus It was strictly speaking a lockout but in reality the workers could have gone back had they chosen to do so, on the original terms of course. That they chose to stay out put the 'dispute' more in the form of a strike. Splitting hairs, maybe, but I think the workers deserve to be credited with staying out and not acquiescing to the employer demands.
Heather Newby The 6th part of this documentary is quite sad... Especially about Jock Barnes being blacklisted. https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/1951-2001...
Margaret Wilde My grandad 4th row frm front. Closest to car. Wow.
Beverley Inwood Your mum and Darcy looked like him
Kevin Fleming It was a watersides dispute primarily and as to union ethos of the time,the Miners went out in solidarity.It was just those times when working people had only got ahead by the strength and solidarity of their union.I was 12 at the time and gained such life experience from the genuine urge of these amazing people to better themselves.
Sue Martin Graeme De Goldi John Carter front row left
Graeme De Goldi Sue Martin yeah that's what I thought
Kyle Webster Recently saw the doco '1951' (also on Youtube) which also showed images of Denniston and interviews
Elizabeth Betty Woods My dad was involved as well, he was based in Wellington.
Glenda McMinn Front left is Mr Carter (Joni Carter grandad) front right is my Grandad Winkie Mcminn senior)
Janet Kilkelly Second from left with hat and scarf is my Dad Jim Gordon
Karen Lawson I nursed a Jack Goodall at Westland Hospital Hokitika in the late 60s. Could it have been your Granddad.
t
Jill Broadhurst Karen Lawson No, granddad died in 1963, aged 65 after never having had a day off work through illness! Sadly died shortly after retirement
Karen Lawson JillBroadhurst Sorry to hear Jill. The Jack I nursed was a lovely man.
Anne Honey Heather Newby thanks it was a lock out and a very nasty one. The government behaved appallingly.
Jude McMillan Not only in Greymouth. My Grandad was in this strike, he was at Port Chalmers. I have his card saying that he lasted the full 150 something days.
Russell Campbell Jude McMillan my father was at lyttleton lockout lasted 151 days.i still have his loyalty card
Heather Newby it was a Lock Out not a strike
Mike Beeby Nicola Cotterill what was Craig’s granddads name?
Nicola Cotterill he was Frank, think that is a relation though maybe? Jill is maybe Craig's mum's cousin?
Barney Adler Tom Kelkelly second from the wright.
Robert Edwards That would be my Uncle then.
Jill Broadhurst Robert Edwards yes, hello Robert!
Robert Edwards Hello Jill, I were on the coast a few weeks ago, were in Blaketown, tried to spot the house but could not remember which one it was, had the right street, mine you most probably change a bit by now.
Jill Broadhurst Robert Edwards number 58 Blake Street. It looks a wee bit different now.
Robert Edwards Just had a look on street, view I were looking at the right group of houses, but would have picked the one beside it No 62
Jill Broadhurst Robert Edwards it was number 58. ( green fence) The house has been well maintained, but the veranda is different. Nana would have been pleased ...she was very house proud! I loved going there, old coal range, pikelets on the girdle ...cosy living room!
Robert Edwards Yep there was always food and a drink, and the big heavy curtain, between the living room and the hall I think
Lois Iacoppi There is a J Goodall on a war memorial saw it yesterday, I was Goodall my Dad was Victor any relationship?
Jill Broadhurst Lois Iacoppi hi Lois, I don’t know. There’s a few Goodies around!
Margaret Wilde Grandad. Tony Inwood 4th man back without hat near car.
Ellen Te Aho I remember staying with the Goodall's in Blaketown when I was competing in the Dance Competitions. Errol I think was an outstanding cornet/trumpet player and Alison a dancer. Their older brother played rugby for Blaketown team. Lovely family x
Jill Broadhurst Ellen Te Aho yes, Ellen, lovely family .. the Goodalls you mention are my mother’s cousins. From grandad’s brother.
Ellen Te Aho Jill Broadhurst also cousins to dear friends from Reefton, the Dennisons, Mervya and Kay. Their Dad Uncle Eric and Aunty Ida were brother and sister
Tony Shirley Watters My uncle Jim Gordon is second on the right ,with the hat on .
Editing is temporarily disabled
Cancel EditClick on the image to add
a tag or press ESC to cancel
a tag or press ESC to cancel
West Coast New Zealand History (30th Sep 2019). Wharfies Strike, Greymouth.1951.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 4th Apr 2026 12:27, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/25912