On February 13, 1951, New Zealand witnessed the largest industrial action in its history, when waterfront workers (dockworkers) went on a strike against financial hardships and poor working conditions. They also demanded same 15% pay increase that all industrial workers had been awarded by the Arbitration Court in January 1951. The National government, led by Sidney Holland, in an attempt to break the strike, implemented harsh measures including censoring the press from reporting on the strike and making it illegal to provide food and money to the striking workers and their families. The strike, which lasted for 151 days received widespread support from working class across New Zealand and thousands more joined the strike in solidarity.
