Think Big: Muldoon's Attempt at Energy Independence

As new tensions in the Middle East rattle global energy markets, we look back at the oil shocks of the 1970s and how they reshaped New Zealand’s energy story: from carless days, to Muldoon’s massive Think Big projects - and how we’re grappling with the challenge today.

Season 2 Episode 1

Watch the video version of the episode here.

Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.

Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.

As our government tries to fix NZ's energy crisis, and tensions in the Middle East rattle global energy markets, we look back at the oil shocks of the 1970s and how they reshaped New Zealand’s energy story: From carless days, to Muldoon’s massive Think Big projects, what worked, what didn't and what do we need to do now? When oil producers in the Middle East tightened supply during the 1973 oil crisis, the shockwaves reached even the bottom of the world. Fuel prices surged. New Zealand faced an energy crisis. The response from Robert Muldoon was bold and controversial: the massive Think Big programme: dams, synthetic fuel plants and huge state-backed energy projects designed to make the country less dependent on imported oil. How do those big projects stack up now? In Context, Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner trace how geopolitics in the Middle East reshaped New Zealand’s energy system and why those lessons matter again today.

Have a topic you'd like Corin or Guyon to explore? Send your ideas to [e-mail]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details