Author(s): Ron Palenski

NZ Non Fiction

The social development of our nation increased exponentially during the 20th century, from a country of one million in 1908 to a burgeoning four million less than one hundred years later. "Kiwi Milestones" is as much a commemoration of this statistical achievement as it is emblematic of our social triumph. It is our social history, providing an evocative look not only at the way we were and how society has changed, but how our exploding population has itself changed society. "Kiwi Milestones" is a nostalgic journey into our changing social, political, economic and technological climate: from the days of horse-drawn drays to the latest in automotive engineering: from the early days of wireless telegraphy to an age where gadgetry permeates our everyday lives; from a total of 151 divorces in 1908 to the latest census tally of some 9700 in 2001.