Week Three: The Post War(s)
Era (1951-1999)
Cool Kiwi Fact #4: New Zealand is one of the few countries
with two national anthems: “God Defend New Zealand,”
which was adopted in 1977 serves as the co-national anthem
alongside “God Save the Queen,” which is normally played only
when a member of the royal family is present.
Day 1: White Picket Fences (The 1950s)
In the 1950s, things settled down in New Zealand. There were
no international wars or intense, national conflicts. Many kiwis
were able to settle down, get married, buy a home and start a family.
Activity 1: Meat and Three Veg
It was common for women in the 1950s to stay home with
their children and raise their family. They were called
‘housewives.’ Many housewives followed a simple
rule when they prepared the evening meal:
the ‘meat and three veg’ rule.
This meant that they prepared dinners that included three
different vegetables and a type of meat (eg. beef, lamb, or chicken).
On your blog tell us if you think that the ‘meat and three
veg’ rule is a good one. Do you like the rule? Would you
enjoy eating a typical 1950s dinner? Why or why not?
I would like to eat meat and three vegetables because
I like eating meat with vegetables and because I can get
fit and I’ll be slim.
Activity 2: What’s in a Name?
During the 1950s the population of New Zealand grew by
400,000 people. That is huge! In fact, so many people were
having babies that many people refer to this period in our
history as the ‘baby boom.’ Popular baby names in 1950s
New Zealand were:
GIRLS BOYS
Christine John
Susan David
Margaret Peter
Judith Michael
Jennifer Robert
Read through the lists. Are these popular names in your school?
On your blog, tell us which names are currently popular in your
school. Please provide, at least, three girls’ names and three boys’
names that are popular.
When I was going to school, the name ‘Jennifer’ was the most
popular girl’s name and the name ‘Matthew’ was the most popular
boy’s name.
In my school we don’t have popular names.
Almost everyone is named different names
from their own families and cultures.
Bonus Activity: Snail Mail
In the 1950s, most people communicated with one another
New Zealanders sent over 200 million letters and postcards
between 1950 and 1960. That is an average of 87 letters per person!
For this activity, imagine that you are living in New Zealand
postcard that you could send to a friend. Try to include
elements of Kiwiana in your design (e.g. Pohutukawa trees,
Hokey Pokey ice cream, etc). Post a copy of your postcard
picture to your blog. Be sure to describe what you have drawn
on your blog beneath the picture.
*You will need to make a copy of the Google Draw
template to create your postcard.
My post card is about how paua is very special in our culture as Kiwis.
Paua shell is very rare and beautiful that everyone loves to share and
use at their houses. To the family and friends that I will be sending
this card to, they will see how important the paua is to our country.
BONUS POINTS: 16
Hi there Silia, thank you for sharing your thoughts on the meat and three veg rule. I think it is a good rule too. You will definitely get slim and in shape if you ate this for dinner each night. It is really healthy. However, do you think you would bored of eating the same sort of thing each night of the week?
ReplyDeleteYour postcard is fantastic. I love paua shells. Where did you find that photo? Or is it from your own home?
Great stuff, I also really like greenstone or pounamu. I was lucky enough to receive a pounamu necklace.
Thanks, Billy