# Britain joins the EEC (1 January 1973)

URL: https://allhistories.com/newzealand/timeline/1973-britain-joins-the-eec
Location: New Zealand
Themes: Key Events

The United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community, ending New Zealand's guaranteed access to its main market for butter, cheese and lamb. Transitional arrangements protect some exports for a time, but quotas shrink. Combined with the oil shock later in 1973, the loss of British trade triggers a long economic downturn.

## Why it matters
Britain's entry forced New Zealand to diversify its markets toward Asia, Australia and the Americas and reshaped its economy and identity.

Ruler at the Time: [Denis Blundell](https://allhistories.com/newzealand/rulers/denis-blundell)

Prime Minister: Norman Kirk (Labour)
Sovereign: Elizabeth II (House of Windsor)
Māori Queen: Te Atairangikaahu

## Sources
- [Wikipedia - New Zealand–United Kingdom relations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand%E2%80%93United_Kingdom_relations)
- [Wikipedia - Post-war New Zealand (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_New_Zealand)