The sinking of the Lyttelton–Wellington ferry Wahine is New Zealand’s worst modern maritime disaster. Fifty-one people lost their lives that day, another died several weeks later and a 53rd victim died in 1990 from injuries sustained in the wreck.
1960s
Events In History
9 October 1967
Fifty years of six o’clock closing of pubs had ended two days earlier, after a referendum convinced the government to change the antiquated licensing law.
10 July 1967
Pounds, shillings and pence were replaced by dollars and cents − 27 million new banknotes and 165 million new coins.
10 February 1967
New Zealand schoolchildren received free milk between 1937 and 1967. The first Labour government introduced the scheme – a world first – to improve the health of young New Zealanders (and make use of surplus milk).
4 December 1966
Pirate station Radio Hauraki broadcast its first scheduled transmission from beyond New Zealand’s 3-mile territorial limit.
21 June 1964
Beatlemania hit New Zealand when 7000 hysterical fans greeted the Fab Four in Wellington during their ‘Far East’ tour. After concerts in the United States, Europe, Hong Kong and Australia, the lads from Liverpool touched down in New Zealand.
2 May 1964
Tram no. 252, displaying the message ‘end of the line’ and driven by Wellington Mayor Frank Kitts, travelled from Thorndon to Newtown zoo. Large crowds lined the streets to witness the end of electric trams in New Zealand.
7 December 1963
The bullet-ridden bodies of Frederick George Walker and Kevin James Speight were found in a house on Bassett Rd in Remuera, Auckland. A team of 32 detectives began enquiries that led to the arrest of Ron Jorgensen and John Gillies.
25 April 1963
On Anzac Day 1963, a six-strong New Zealand civilian surgical team arrived in Qui Nhon, South Vietnam as part of the Colombo Plan assistance programme. Their deployment marked the beginning of New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
26 November 1960
Keith Holyoake led the National Party to victory over Walter Nash’s Labour government. He went on to become New Zealand’s third longest-serving prime minister, behind Richard Seddon and William Massey.
1 June 1960
Broadcast from Shortland St in central Auckland, New Zealand’s first official television transmission began at 7.30 p.m.
Articles
Waitangi Day
Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. For most people, Waitangi Day is a holiday; for many, and especially for Māori, it is a time for reflecting on the Treaty and its place in modern New Zealand. Read the full article
Page 4 - Waitangi Day 1960s
The Waitangi Day Act 1960 declared 6 February to be Waitangi Day; a national day of thanksgiving in commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was New Zealand's longest and most controversial overseas military experience. Although this country's troop commitment and casualties were modest, the conflict aroused widespread protest and condemnation. And for those who fought in Vietnam, it was a tough homecoming. Read the full article
Page 1 - The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was New Zealand's longest and most controversial overseas military experience. Although this country's troop commitment and casualties were modest, the conflict
The Beatles in New Zealand
When four young Liverpool musicians landed in Wellington on a lazy Sunday afternoon in June 1964, seven days of pandemonium erupted. Young New Zealanders flocked in their thousands to hear or just catch a glimpse of the famous 'Fab Four'. Read the full article
Page 1 - The Beatles in New Zealand
When four young Liverpool musicians landed in Wellington on a lazy Sunday afternoon in June 1964, seven days of pandemonium erupted. Young New Zealanders flocked in their
Page 2 - Setting the scene
The Beatles' 1964 tour occurred as New Zealand was undergoing a cultural shift, and many young people swapped their old image for the new 'mod'
Page 3 - Wellington
Seven thousand screaming fans waited as The Beatles touched down at Wellington airport on 21 June 1964. As the band stepped off the plane, the fans' shrieks drowned out the noise
Page 4 - Auckland
Auckland fans were as riotous as those in Wellington. The Beatles' music went almost unnoticed as everyone commented on the
Page 5 - South Island
The Beatles' concerts in Dunedin on 26 June were some of the wildest of the New Zealand
The 1960s
Five decades ago most Kiwis enjoyed a standard of living that was the envy of other nations. During the 1960s the arrival of TV and jet airliners shrank our world, and New Zealanders began to express themselves on a range of international issues, including opposition to the Vietnam War. Read the full article
Page 1 - The 1960s
Five decades ago most Kiwis enjoyed a standard of living that was the envy of other nations. During the 1960s the arrival of TV and jet airliners shrank our world, and New
Page 2 - Overview
Summary of what NZ was like in the 1960s, including our population, economy, popular culture, sporting achievements and
Page 3 - 1960 - key events
A selection of key events from
Page 4 - 1961 - key events
What were the key events in New Zealand history in
Page 5 - 1962 - key events
A selection of the key events in New Zealand history from
Page 6 - 1963 - key events
A selection of the key events in New Zealand history from
Page 7 - 1964 - key events
A selection of the key events in New Zealand history from
Page 8 - 1965 - key events
A selection of the key events in New Zealand history from
Page 9 - 1966 - key events
A selection of the key events in New Zealand history from
Page 10 - 1967 - key events
A selection of the key events in New Zealand history from
Page 11 - 1968 - key events
A selection of the key events in New Zealand history from
Page 12 - 1969 - key events
A selection of the key events in New Zealand history from
Television in New Zealand
New Zealand’s first non-experimental television transmission went to air on 1 June 1960. To mark five decades of TV, in 2010 we presented five snapshots of Kiwi TV history. Explore pre-1960 experiments, TV news, music shows and modern election coverage - and discover how our own history has been showcased on the small screen. Read the full article
Page 1 - Television in New Zealand
New Zealand’s first non-experimental television transmission went to air on 1 June 1960. To mark five decades of TV, in 2010 we presented five snapshots of Kiwi TV history.
Page 4 - Kiwi music shows on TV
New Zealanders can now view music videos over the internet or on music channels C4 and Juice TV. But after TV was introduced in 1960 several generations of New Zealanders kept up
Biographies
As Minister of Māori Affairs in the 1960s, Ralph Hanan generally showed understanding of Māori interests and aspirations.
Jack Hunn commissioned a series of wide-ranging studies on Māori population, housing, education, employment, health, crime and land titles.
Main image: Queen Elizabeth's visit to a state house
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visiting a state house, 1963.
