New Zealand Society: the Sixties

Specific Learning Outcomes

• Describe the main events and experiences of people in 1960s New Zealand


• Explain how the roles of men and women were defined by the culture of the 1960s

Teaching / Learning Sequence

1. Starter: Brainstorm the 10 most popular sport and recreation activities in New Zealand today. What activities do they do? Why are they the most popular activities? Who are the most prominent sportspeople today?


2. Give some background information on Peter Snell, the 1960s most famous NZ sportsperson. See web resources for details.


3. View footage: “Sport and Recreation”: Peter Snell: Athlete.


4. Questions: What is the nature of his training? What made him so good? (eg: mention Arthur Lydiard, legendary coach). What image does this clip present about the role of women? Is this typical of how women’s roles were defined at this time?


5. View footage: “Sport and Recreation”: The Butterfly Fleet, Eye of the Sun. Note what many Kiwi kids may have done as “recreation” in the 1960s. Is this still the case today?