On 27 April 1942 sugar rationing was introduced in New Zealand as a wartime measure. The ration was established as 12 ounces weekly per person, which equates to 340 grams or 72 teaspoons.

Rationing was introduced as a measure to preserve resources and to ensure that the maximum amount possible was given to the war effort in New Zealand. Petrol was the first item rationed, then as the War continued more items were rationed such as meat, tea, clothing, and wool. Ration books were issued to households who were tasked with the careful management of their allocated rations. A culture of ‘make do and mend’ was established as New Zealanders learnt to survive with the limited resources available to them. Even after the War ended, rationing continued until 1950 as a result of international demand for New Zealand goods and the limited availability of some products.

This photograph of a ration book from 1942 shows ration coupons which were intended to be cut out by vendors and exchanged for goods. This photograph comes from the 'Former Post and Telegraph/Telecom Museum Holdings' (Series 8106), a the collection extracted from the holdings of New Zealand Post Archives, which is part of the Post Office Museum and Archives.

Archives Reference: AAME 8106 W5603 118/ 11/17/30 View the complete record on Archway: www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=20939681 For updates on our On This Day series and news from Archives New Zealand, follow us on Twitter twitter.com/ArchivesNZ