Old news? Mortgages and vaccines top 1960s paper found hidden in wall
A 59-year-old newspaper found inside a house’s wall cavity shows Aucklanders in the 1960s were preoccupied with house prices and pandemics – much as they are today.
Mike and Julie Ann Sewell have been renovating their home in Torbay, on the North Shore, for the past two months.
Contractor Tyrin Perenara found the copy of the North Shore Advertiser, from November 14, 1962, in a wall cavity in the lounge.
It appeared it had been placed in the wall as a time capsule, as written on the front page was: “Ted Peters and Roger Broomfield put this here”.
Julie Ann Sewell said that they had found the newspaper “quite humorous”, especially the old advertisements.
“The prices in those days were really cheap compared to these days.”
According to an advert for Cross’ Supermarket, a can of Oak Spaghetti cost about 1 shilling and six pence – about 15 cents. Today, it sells for about $1.29 at Pakn’Save.
Much like 2021, there was a focus on mass vaccination in 1962, but for polio instead of coronavirus.
But unlike 2021, houses on the North Shore were “easily financed”, according to an advert by PTY Industries, which sold “architect designed homes” for mortgages of less than £3 per week.
Click 'read more' to see what else was in the news in 1962, including a high school "leg show" and a strange creature seen in Lake Pupuke.
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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83.3% Same!
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16.7% Would have liked to try something different
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.8% Yes
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33.4% Maybe?
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24.8% No
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
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