The 1970s

All Blacks first ‘grand slam’

Victory over all four home unions – a ‘grand slam’ – was the Holy Grail for any All Black team touring the British Isles. They had come close four times, including the (in)famous defeat at the hands of Wales in 1905 and another loss to Wales in 1953. There were also agonising draws against Scotland (1964) and Ireland (1973). The 1978 team arrived in Dublin for the first test of the tour in less than vintage form. A 16–30 loss to Australia at home prior to leaving for Britain had been compounded by a shock defeat by Munster. But the Irish were defeated 10–6 to clear the first hurdle. Wales were next. With four minutes remaining at Cardiff Arms Park, Wales led 12–10 when the All Blacks were awarded a penalty after a line-out from which All Black lock Andy Haden had fallen theatrically. With television replays showing that no Welshman had laid a hand on Haden, Brian McKechnie converted the penalty for a 13–12 win. Enraged Welsh fans believed that Haden’s action had cost them a rare victory over an old foe. English referee Roger Quittenton’s post-match claim that he had penalised Wales for a separate infringement (a lock had apparently ‘jumped off’ Frank Oliver’s shoulder) convinced few. McKechnie was to be at the centre of another great sporting controversy in 1981, when he was the batsman who received Trevor Chappell’s underarm delivery at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Somewhat anticlimactically, the grand slam was finally achieved with comfortable victories over England (16–6) and Scotland (18–9). In the professional era, New Zealand has completed grand slams in 2005, 2008 and 2010.

New Zealand establishes Exclusive Economic Zone

New Zealand established an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with a 200-nautical-mile (370-km) radius around its shores, partly in a bid to protect our deep-sea fish stocks. Since the 1960s these had been exploited by foreign vessels, including Russian, Taiwanese, South Korean and Japanese trawlers. According to United Nations conventions being negotiated at the time, island nations were entitled to 200-nautical-mile EEZs on the same basis as continental states. Because New Zealand was able to use the small islands to the north, east and south of the three main islands as base points for its zone, its EEZ covered 4 million sq km, the fourth largest in the world. The UN finally adopted the convention in 1982.

Bruce Beetham

In a shock result, Social Credit party leader Bruce Beetham won the Rangitikei by-election to become only the second non-National or Labour MP since 1946. The other was one of Beetham’s predecessors as Social Credit leader, Vern Cracknell, who had held Hobson from 1966 to 1969. Rangitikei, a predominantly rural electorate, was considered solidly ‘blue’. The by-election followed the death of long-time member and Speaker of the House, Sir Roy Jack. Beetham retained the seat in the general election later that year and held it until defeated by National’s Denis Marshall in 1984.

Beetham had led Social Credit since 1972 and was elected mayor of Hamilton in 1976. His time in Parliament saw an upswing in support for Social Credit, but under the ‘first past the post’ system this did not bring significant numbers into the House. In 1981 Social Credit won 16% of the vote but Beetham remained the party’s only MP. Three years later the party polled just over 20% but had only Neil Morrison (Pakuranga) and Gary Knapp (East Coast Bays) to show for it. Not surprisingly, Beetham and Social Credit were strong supporters of proportional representation.

Top of the pops

After a one-year hiatus due mainly to the tough economic times, the best in New Zealand music were recognised once more. Hello Sailor won both Album of the Year and Group of the Year, while John Rowles and Sharon O’Neill were the top male and female performers. Golden Harvest’s lead singer Karl Gordon, resplendent in satin flares with matching waistcoat – but no shirt – summed up the fashion of the era perfectly. Featuring the four Kaukau brothers, their hit ‘I need your love’ was voted single of the year.

Annual awards for the New Zealand recording industry had been made since 1965, when the Loxene Golden Disc Awards (named after Loxene shampoo) were co-founded by the NZBC and Reckitt & Colman, a soap powder manufacturer.

Other 1978 events

• In a joint police and army operation, all 218 protesters at Bastion Point, Auckland were removed, ending an occupation that had begun in January 1977.
• The Kaimai Rail Tunnel opened after 13 years under construction. At nearly 9 km it is New Zealand’s longest rail tunnel.
• New Zealand beat England in a cricket test for the first time. Needing 137 for victory at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, England was dismissed for 64.
• National was re-elected with a reduced majority.
• Eva Rickard led a protest against the loss of Tainui Awhiro land at Raglan.
• The New Zealand Film Commission was established to fund the production of New Zealand cinema films.
• International airline Air New Zealand and the domestic National Airways Corporation were merged under the name ‘Air New Zealand’.
• Fifteen-year old Meda McKenzie became the first New Zealand woman to swim Cook Strait. For good measure she made a return crossing a fortnight later.

Can you remember 1978? Add your memories and comments in the form below.