It's one of our favourite NZ clichés that during the 1950s New Zealanders were the 'third wealthiest people in the world" - we ranked 3rd in the world for GDP per capita. We remained in the top 5 until 1966. These amazing statistics show how comparatively wealthy NZ was during this 'golden age'.
We are now much lower down the rankings and have been since the 1970s. What went wrong with our GDP per capita and does it even matter?
Photo: National Library [Lonsdale, Neil, 1907-1989]
