Flavour of New Zealand

01-Jan-1965
Seat belts became compulsory for all new cars and light trucks. ²

07-Jan-1965
The Secretary of the Atomic Energy Committee, J T O'Leary, announced that New Zealand's first atomic power station would probably be built on the Kaipara Harbour shoreline. Planning and Building would take seven years and the 1000 megawatt plant would be able to supply two thirds of North Island electricity. ³

03-Feb-1965
The Wellington-Auckland express was hauled by steam locomotives for the last time. It would be 1971 before the last South Island steam powered Christchurch-Dunedin express ran. ³

15-Mar-1965
The Benmore power station on the Waitaki River was opened and was feeding power to the North Island two months later. ³

01-Apr-1965
TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Ltd.) became Air New Zealand. ²

20-Jul-1965
Two masked prisoners armed with a gun attacked a warder and sparked a 33 hour riot involving 292 inmates at Mt Eden prison. Prisoners took over the prison and set it on fire. ³

27-Jul-1965
The Lawson quintuplets were born at National Women's Hospital, Auckland. ³

24-Nov-1965
Mangere airport, renamed Auckland International Airport, began operating with services run by Air New Zealand, Qantas, BOAC, and Pan American to Australia and the Pacific. ³

16-Dec-1965
Norman Kirk, a former stationary engine driver, became leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, replacing Arnold Nordmeyer. ³