History.

Soundtrack: I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles.

21st June 1964

On the 21st of June 1964, the Beatles landed at Wellington Airport on their last stretch of the Far East Tour (New Zealand History). Two thousand screaming fans awaited trying to catch a glimpse of Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison. Their tour lasted eight days playing in Wellington, Auckland, and the South Island (New Zealand History). Previously the closest relationship New Zealand teenagers had with Beatles music was through the sound of their record player. The tour would ultimately make this experience come to life.  

"We bought nearly every recording the Beatles put out and we had the album covers encased in heavy, clear plastic and taped to our bedroom door... the best Beatle blast was at 'full tilt' with us singing along to every word... Beatles records were treated like gold" (Hutchins 70).

The T.K.T Twins, Te Kuiti

However, the tour was not just a time of teenage adoration and positivity, there was a 'strengthened conservative rampart and reactionary forces came out' (Hutchins 9). Not everyone in New Zealand wanted Beatlemania (Hutchins 9).

"The mood was tense..... I remember seeing a placard in the crowd at Christchurch that said 'We like Elvis, Cliff, Castro, Mao Tse-tung, but not the Beatles'" (Hutchins 81).

Peter Skerman, Secondary School Teacher, Hamilton.



1960's teenagers listening to Beatles records (Hutchins 35)

 

The Beatles arrive in New Zealand (New Zealand History Online)



Beatles' fans scream for the Beatles. (Hutchins Cover)



Beatles perform at Wellington show. Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison. (Hutchins 18) 




Bibliography


Hutchins, Graham. Eight Days a Week. The Beatles' Tour of New Zealand 1964. Auckland: Exisle Publishing Limited, 2004. Print.


New Zealand History Online. "Wellington - The Beatles In New Zealand." The Beatles in New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/beatles/wellington. 17 June. 2010. Web. 20 September. 2010.