New Zealand's Television History
Tomorrow, 1 June 2020 marks 60 years of television in New Zealand.
"Broadcast from Shortland St in central Auckland, New Zealand’s first official television transmission began at 7.30 p.m. The first night’s broadcast lasted just three hours and was only available to viewers in Auckland. It included an episode of The Adventures of Robin Hood, a live interview with a visiting British ballerina and a performance by the Howard Morrison Quartet."
Memories of Watching TV at Thames
Do you remember the first time you watched television at Thames? My grandparents while relatively poor, were the owners of a television in the early 1960s. The excitement was amazing for a six year old (approx!).
Once a week we seemed to gather at their house, cousins included and sit around on the floor (seats reserved for adults) and watch whatever was on the television until we went to sleep. This wasn't the only way to watch a television, a little later you could go and stand / sit outside shops such as Brown's and 'stare' at the TV's that would be positioned facing the footpath.
I can't remember when we exactly got a TV (black and white), but it was well before the moon landing in 1969. A few nights a week I can recall staying up to watch my favourites, such as The Dick Van Dyke Show!
Apart from watching the 'set' we often watched outside to see if the car was driving around to check if people had paid their license fees! By 1965 there were over 300,000 television licenses issued - I suspect Mum didn't always pay it, hence why we were often on the 'lookout'.
Hospital gets Televisions
On this day, 31 May, fifty-four years ago (1966) Thames Hospital received a generous donation of televisions from the Thames United Services and Thames Lions Club.
Thames Hospital Board Chairman Mr Morrison thanked the groups for their ongoing support around the hospital.
"Mr Morrision took the opportunity of announcing that the Board intended to provide for the proper installation of television throughout the hospital." Thames Star 31 May 1966.
The hospital faced the problem of how to allow patients to watch and listen to the TV, without disturbing those who needed rest - they were looking at a headset option that would be available for all.
Mr L C Hays (left) and Mr N I Mills (right) presenting the new televisions to the Thames Hospital.
According to the website New Zealand History, the cost of the sets was considerable. "In February 1966 the average price of a 23-inch black and white television ‘consolette’ was £131, equivalent to nearly $5000 today."
The next milestone - Colour TV broadcasts
Yes, we had a colour television fairly early on once broadcasting started. How amazing it was! The Thames Star 28 July 1972 alerted Thamesites to the fact that colour television reception would soon be a reality. Providing of course you could afford the new television set.
Servicemen were busy attending courses in how to maintain and repair these new machines, the expected start date March 1973. "Three servicemen, one from Tisco, one from Edwin Brown Ltd, and Roger Carter, of Puru are in the process of attending a 10 week course in Waihi." (Thames Star 28 July 1972) While Mr S E Wood of Wood & Lamb Ltd was next in line to attend the course.
"On Wednesday 31 October 1973, colour television using the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) system was introduced, in readiness for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games, which were to be held in Christchurch in January and February 1974. The final switchover for colour television was in December 1975." Television in New Zealand, Wikipedia.
Take the Challenge
Take a moment to remember your first TV memories, favourite programmes, first 'live' events you watched? What brand was your TV, was it made in Waihi?
Further Reading:
