Today is the anniversary of Decimal Currency Day, which was introduced on 10 July, 1967.
New Zealand moved from a fractional currency of pounds, shillings and pence, to a decimal system of dollars and cents.
Minister of Finance, Robert Muldoon holding four of the new decimal bank notes. With him is Bank of New Zealand bank hostess, Adrienne Voss. Photo: Evening Post, July 1967 Alexander Turnbull Library
There was nationwide public education campaign to help people make the change. Commercial transactions moved from 1 pound = 20 shillings = 240 pence = 960 farthings, to base 10.
Both retailers and customers had to adjust to the new money and the maths.
Now It Can Be Told
This informational film from 1967 describes how the new money was distributed around New Zealand for people to start using.
"Decimal Currency Day has arrived in New Zealand, the secret so secret that everyone new about it. A national operation controlled by seven people, and carried out by thousands."
More about decimal currency:
- History of New Zealand Coinage on the Reserve Bank website
- New Zealand adopts Decimal Currency on the NZ History website
- Decimal currency, 1960s to 2000s on Te Ara
- The Decimal Currency song on Te Ara (VIDEO)
- Operation Overlander on Te Ara (VIDEO) Security around delivery of the new currency across New Zealand by train.
- Decimal Currency Day on the Auckland Library website
Your comments:
@radionz @rnz_news Was working in retail and the oldies used to ask "how much is that in real money" - I still chuckle 50yrs on :)
— Stuart Spurr (@georgiespu) July 10, 2015
@radionz My Mum remembered. She sang me the song down the phone this morning and informed me she was a 'dollar scholar' who got 10/10.
— Lizzie Marvelly (@LizzieMarvelly) July 10, 2015
I remember being a 'dollar scholar' back in 1967! https://t.co/QaBs5HEbYu
— Judy McKenzie (@judykmck) July 10, 2015
My mum was a dollar scholar! She got top marks for it too ❤ https://t.co/fi2B6QWzBq
— rens (@kiwirens) July 10, 2015
.@radionz At Mt Ruapehu 4 midterm break, no snow BTW, went to Whakapapa camp store to get some decimal currency but they didn't have any :-(
— Sue Courtney (@winescribe) July 10, 2015
