NZHistory.net.nz, New Zealand history online - christmas

Kiwi Christmas

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Christmas in New Zealand is less about snow and sleigh bells and more about sun, sand and barbecues in the backyard. We've provided a range of stories that showcase some of the quirkier aspects of Kiwi Christmases past and present. You can also test yourself on our Kiwi Christmas quiz.

Auckland's giant Santa

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Auckland's giant Santa on the Farmers building in 1960 (left) and the Whitcoulls building in 2009 (right), shortly after his makeover.

Santa parades

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Wellington santa parade in 1958

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

The first half of this film shows thousands of people attending a Christmas parade in Wellington in 1958. Santa arrives on a float decorated as a ship called ‘the spirit of Christmas’.

The second half of this film show a life-sized nativity stable being built in Taihape. It is visited by people from all over the district.

Politically incorrect Christmas games

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Playing 'Light the cigarette race' at the Tolaga Bay School Christmas party, 1953

Search the Web for ‘Christmas games’ and you’ll be able to play or download a huge range of computer games – for kids and adults. But before e-games, people played all sorts of games around Christmas time. Some had a Christmas theme or adapted another game for the occasion, such as ‘Pin the nose on Rudolph’.

'Sticky Beak the kiwi' song

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Kiwi Records logo

Hear 'Sticky Beak the kiwi' performed by staff at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

A day off for Christmas

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Christmas Day revellers on Plimmerton beach in the 1920s.

Christmas becomes a public holiday

It's hard for most of us today to imagine Christmas Day not being a holiday, but a day off on 25 December hasn't always been a legal entitlement.

Christmas in wartime

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Summer holidays

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New Zealand Railways publicity poster for Caroline Bay, Timaru, 1935

Caroline Bay offered an entire programme of activities for holidaymakers over the summer. Starting on Boxing Day and finishing in mid-January, there were concerts and dances, sand-modelling contests, parades for pets and ‘Tiny Tots’, mother–son and mother–daughter contests and a wide selection of beauty contests. The New Year’s Eve midnight bonfire was the highlight, but the Miss Caroline Bay Bathing Beauty Contest was the glamour event through to the 1960s.

Santa goes to the Chathams

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200