Population
In 1960 New Zealand was still in the midst of the post-war baby boom. The peak came in 1961 when 65,476 babies were born. The baby boom ended in 1964. Immigration meant that we continued to enjoy steady if unspectacular population growth. The onset of economic recession in 1968 reversed this trend. Over the course of the decade New Zealand's population grew from approximately 2.4 million to just under 2.8 million.
Economy
The twin pillars of our economic prosperity were the security of the British market and the high prices for wool, which accounted for more than a third of our total export earnings. In 1967 the export price for wool fell by 30% and as a result unemployment and inflation both rose steadily. Our access to the British market was also compromised by that country’s desire to join the European Economic Community. Britain's share of our exports fell from just over 50% in 1965 to 36% five years later. Within another decade it would be less than 15%.
The average wage for full-time employees (including any overtime or bonus payments) by the end of 1969 was just under $50 per week (equivalent to around $1100 per week in 2011), an increase of $20 since 1959. The minimum weekly wage for adult males was $42, equivalent to $850 per week in 2008.
Popular culture
Television had a great impact on life in this country following the first broadcasts in 1960. In 1962 there were only 23,000 television licence holders nationwide but this number increased to more than half a million by 1968. Television shrank our world. From the comfort of our living rooms we watched the tragedy of the Wahine disaster as well as the out of world experience of Neil Armstrong's ‘one small step for man’ on the surface of the moon. We watched as Vietnam became the television war. Kiwi kids had new heroes who appeared in American westerns such as High Chaparral, Gunsmoke and Bonanza.
In the mid-1960s local television shows like Let's go and C'mon boomed as New Zealand youngsters dressed up like their shaggy overseas counterparts. These shows gave local musicians the opportunity to show off their talents. Many made a name for themselves by copying the music and style of the big international acts.
The joy, dizziness and sheer optimism of the 1960s youth experience was captured by Ray Columbus and the Invaders, whose single 'She's a mod' became a smash hit on both sides of the Tasman in 1964. Others viewed this new youth culture with disdain. They were appalled by the hysteria associated with the Beatles tour of 1964. They disliked how young New Zealanders adopted the music and fashion trends of new sub-cultures such as the British ‘mods’ and ‘rockers’. Fights between the two groups were not uncommon. The 1966 killing of Christchurch rocker Les ‘Lightning’ Thomas by Bill Gilchrist, a mod, seemed to confirm their fears. Worse still, the trial that followed exposed a dark underbelly to the city, involving rival gangs of teenagers engaged in sex, drinking and brawling.
Protest
The 1960s are synonymous with protest. Homegrown protest developed around environmental issues associated with the Manapouri hydro scheme. The origins of New Zealand's anti-nuclear policies of the 1980s can be traced back to opposition to French atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons from the mid-1960s. Our anti-nuclear stand did not yet extend to nuclear ship visits. The 1960 visit of the American nuclear-powered and -armed submarine USS Halibut was greeted warmly and it was perhaps reassuring that our principal ally knew the whereabouts of our ports.
The major protests of the period were centred on the Vietnam War. Following our decision to send combat forces in 1965 opposition to the war intensified. Thousands mobilised in opposition to our involvement. The New Zealand Monthly Review noted in 1965 that New Zealanders were ‘behaving in ways quite uncharacteristic of the species as recognised by their ancestors’.
In 1960 the All Blacks toured South Africa minus any Maori players. More than 150,000 outraged New Zealanders signed a petition opposing this tour. The South Africans toured here in 1965 with little protest but a proposed All Black tour to South Africa in 1967 was called off. When the All Blacks finally made it back to the Republic in 1970, Maori were included but for the duration of the tour were classified as ‘honorary whites’. It was hard to know what was worse.
Politics
The new music, fashions and politics of the 1960s seemed to challenge the conservative values of ‘the establishment’. Some could be forgiven for thinking this challenge largely passed us by. The National Party led by ‘Kiwi’ Keith Holyoake swept to power in 1960 and remained there until 1972. National aimed to preserve the economic prosperity and general stability of the period. Holyoake's political and social vision was best summed up by his 1963 election slogan ‘steady as she goes’. The longevity of his administration suggests that he had correctly read the mood of mainstream New Zealanders.
Governments were formed on the basis of which party won the most electorates (the ‘first past the post’ system). National and Labour's stranglehold on Parliament was broken briefly in 1966 when the Social Credit candidate Vern Cracknell won the Hobson seat. Normal service was resumed in 1969 (when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 20) when National regained the electorate with a substantial majority. In 1969 the number of seats in Parliament was increased from 80 to 84.
Rugby, racing and beeR
In the 1960s the ‘three Rs’ of ‘rugby, racing and beeR’ were dominant.
Rugby was a powerful sporting and cultural force. Its place was largely unchallenged on and off the field. The Ranfurly Shield was the ultimate symbol of provincial supremacy. The decade saw provinces such as Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki dominate possession of the log o’ wood.
This was also a golden age for All Blacks rugby. They lost only four tests out of 40 and suffered only one series defeat, to South Africa in 1960. This was the era of full-scale, epic tours. The 1963-64 All Blacks’ tour of the British Isles, France and Canada involved 36 matches in four months. This was also the age of amateurs so such tours represented a significant financial strain for those selected. Men from this era such as Meads, Whineray, Tremain, Lochore, Gray and Nathan achieved legendary status.
Kiwis attended racecourses in large numbers while many also made a regular trip to the local TAB. In the early 60s we spent in excess of £50 million annually at racecourses or at the TAB.
New Zealanders drank on average 71 litres of beer and stout per person. Up to 1967 a good deal of this was consumed during the 'six o'clock swill'. We hadn't yet embraced wine, although its consumption in this country received a boost in 1961 when wine was allowed to be served in restaurants for the first time.
Other sports
While rugby was king, other sportsmen gained international recognition. Peter Snell established himself as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time when he backed up his 800-metre gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics with the 800/1500 double four years later in Tokyo. He also set world records for 800 metres and the mile in 1962.
Bob Charles achieved a notable first for New Zealand golf when he won the 1963 British Open. Denny Hulme was crowned the champion Formula One racing driver in 1967. In spite of New Zealand's lowly test status John Reid established himself as one of cricket's premier all-rounders.
Marise Chamberlain became the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic track medal when she ran third in the 1964 800 metres. She is also remembered for her stumble just short of the finishing line in the final of the 880 yards at the Kingston Empire (Commonwealth Games) in 1966. The stumble with the gold medal virtually hers saw her finish a heart-breaking sixth.
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