Images: Getty. Commonwealth Games: Archives New Zealand.
A lot has happened in New Zealand since 1974. Here, we look back at what was going on in Aotearoa 50 years ago.
Fewer people, more sheep
Back in 1974, the nation’s population was estimated at a little more than three million. We’re now sitting at a smidge more than 5.2 million. The backbone of our economy was (and still is) agriculture and we’ve always been famous for our sheep. Fifty years ago, the ovine population stood at 55.8 million – more than 18 sheep for every person. Our woolly friends have now diminished in number, with the last count down to 25.3 million. That’s still almost five sheep for every Kiwi of the human variety.
What a Dagg
It was in 1974 that writer and comedian John Clarke began refining the character of Fred Dagg, a laconic Kiwi farmer who with “The Old Sheila” had seven sons, all called Trev. Throughout the year, Fred popped up sporadically in short, comedic segments on the current affairs show Nationwide. Then, in December of that year, daggy Fred – in his trademark gumboots and singlet – was the subject of a spoof episode of Country Calendar. Fast-forward to the end of 1975 and he’d become a household name, forever to remain a beloved New Zealand icon.
Shock death
On August 31, then Prime Minister Norman Kirk was taking time out after suffering a string of health problems. His bed was covered with official papers. He said to his wife Ruth, “I am dying, please don’t tell anyone.” A while later, while watching the police drama Softly, Softly on TV, he slowly slid from his sitting position and sadly passed away of a pulmonary embolism at 51. He was replaced as prime minister by Bill Rowling.
Christchurch Games
What a right royal occasion it was when the nation hosted the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch! Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles (now King Charles III) and Princess Anne all attended the event. It was at these Games that a 22-year-old John Walker showed the New Zealand public how good an athlete he was, winning silver in the 1500m race and bronze in the 800m. The following year, he shot to international stardom. He became the first person to run a mile (1.6km) in less than three minutes and 50 seconds.
Sir Sam’s beginnings
It was this year that Sam Neill, now a Hollywood legend, saw his name on the big screen for the first time – in a 10-minute short film that played before a feature film. He was 26 and the New Zealand movie industry was almost non-existent. In fact, he has since said that in 1974, a career in New Zealand film was “the stupidest, most ridiculous thing you could possibly consider”. Yet consider it he did. After his unremarkable debut, he went on to star in 1977’s Sleeping Dogs. Since then, his acting career has been one big walk in the (Jurassic) park!
Space Waltz
David Bowie unleashed his album Diamond Dogs to mixed reviews. Meanwhile, here in Aotearoa, we had our own Bowie-esque hitmaker. The band Space Waltz, fronted by androgynous singer Alastair Riddell, had a hit with the single Out on the Street. It shot to number one in October and was largely responsible for the band winning the Best New Artist gong at the following year’s music awards.
Special day
Fifty years ago, Waitangi Day wasn’t on many Kiwis’ radar and was only celebrated with a public holiday in Northland. That all changed in 1974 when it became a national holiday called New Zealand Day. Two years later, the name was changed back to Waitangi Day.
Colour TV
In 1974, Kiwis were enjoying all the newest international popular culture offerings and watching blockbuster movies, such as top-grossing The Towering Inferno. Pocket calculators were invented and the T-shirt became a fashion statement after having long been considered an undergarment. Stephen King’s first horror novel Carrie was published in April, while in October, boxing legend Muhammad Ali beat heavyweight champ George Foreman in the now-famous Rumble in the Jungle.
US President Nixon resigned after the Watergate scandal and the Oscars had an unexpected moment when a streaker ran on stage as host David Niven was about to introduce Elizabeth Taylor. David quipped, “Probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings.”
At the time, New Zealand had just one TV channel. However, at least we got one treat that much of the world was already enjoying. The New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC) was told by the Government to phase in colour TV by the start of the 1974 Commonwealth Games – and the deadline was met!
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