1202 days ago

Old news? Mortgages and vaccines top 1960s paper found hidden in wall

Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times

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.

More messages from your neighbours
15 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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5 days ago

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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6 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.1% Yes
    82.1% Complete
  • 15.1% No
    15.1% Complete
  • 2.7% Other - I'll share below
    2.7% Complete
2368 votes