Search Browse Media On This Day Map Quotations Timeline Research Free Datasets Remembered About Contact
☶ Go up a page

Timeline: 1970s

1970

  • Television feature: painter Toss Woollaston (New Zealand). Ref TZP88703. Link: TVNZ
  • Television news report: anti pornography campaigner petitions Parliament (New Zealand). Newsview, ref TZP86809. Link: TVNZ
  • The Society for Promotion of Community Standards is formed (New Zealand). The Society is a conservative Judeo-Christian lobby group who oppose, among other things, the promotion of equal rights for lesbians and gays. The Society was founded by Patricia Bartlett, a former nun. Link: Wikipedia

29 March 1970

  • Television news report: University Students Association Council recommends sex education in schools (New Zealand). NZBC news, ref TZP85992. Link: TVNZ

7 April 1970

  • Composer Benjamin Britten and his partner Peter Pears tour New Zealand (New Zealand). The visit was part of a tour to generate money for the rebuilding of the concert hall at The Maltings. Link: Music Web

28 July 1970

  • The National Party's annual conference decides to seek liberalisation on the law relating to homosexuality (New Zealand). The decision was applauded by the Homosexual Law Reform Society - as noted in an Evening Post article on 28 July. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

29 July 1970

  • Television current affairs: a look at the "problem" of homosexuality (New Zealand). The South Tonight, ref TZP86813. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: TVNZ

4 December 1970

  • Television news report: unsuitable books found in children's section of department store (Auckland). This Day, ref TZP86812. Link: TVNZ

1971

  • Television news report: Rewi Alley arrives back in New Zealand from China (New Zealand). Ref TZP1047823. Link: TVNZ
  • Television news report: Rewi Alley speaks to a meeting about life in Communist China (Wellington). Ref TZP454776. Link: TVNZ
  • The KG (Kamp Girls) Club is formed (Auckland). The KG is a social club for lesbians held in private homes
  • Up From Under magazine is published by Wellington Women's Liberation Front (Wellington)

14 February 1971

  • Television news report: interview with Mayor of Mount Roskill Keith Hay (Auckland). Hay would later become a staunch opponent of homosexual law reform. This Day, ref TZP107523. Links: TVNZ, Wikipedia

5 May 1971

  • Television current affairs: sex education (New Zealand). Survey, ref TZP74345. Link: TVNZ

25 May 1971

  • Television news report: a bust of Frank Sargeson is unveiled in Takapuna (Auckland). Ref TZP144400. Link: TVNZ
  • The Labour Party annual conference votes favour of homosexual law reform (New Zealand). The conference voted in favour of homosexual acts between consenting males in private be legalised. The vote was so close that a count had to be taken

5 August 1971

  • The Evening Post reports that the National government will not reform the law relating to homosexuality (New Zealand). Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

19 September 1971

  • Ngahuia Volkerling (Te Awekotuku) leads women's liberation in a Suffrage Day of Mourning (New Zealand)

14 October 1971

  • Television current affairs: Patricia Bartlett campaigns to stop booksellers displaying restricted books (New Zealand). Gallery, ref TZP49833. Link: TVNZ

26 October 1971

  • Television current affairs: profile of Rewi Alley (New Zealand). Gallery, ref TZP49890. Links: TVNZ, Wikipedia

28 October 1971

  • Television current affairs: a report on transvestites and transsexuals (New Zealand). Gallery, ref TZP49891. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: TVNZ

30 October 1971

  • Politician Grant Robertson is born (Palmerston North). Link: Wikipedia

2 December 1971

  • Television current affairs: a look at prostitution in New Zealand (New Zealand). On Camera, ref TZP86607. Link: TVNZ

1972

  • Television news report: an interview with Rewi Alley about China (Dunedin). Ref TZP454777. Link: TVNZ
  • Television news report: protest at indecent language laws after Germaine Greer's trial (Wellington). NZBC news, ref TZP34614. Link: TVNZ
  • The University Gay Liberation Auckland group is formed (Auckland). The group diverged from Gay Liberation Auckland
  • The University of Canterbury Gay Activists Society is formed (Christchurch). The group is later renamed Gay University Students' Society (GUSS)

4 January 1972

  • Television news report: Otago University Professor claims 4% of New Zealand men may be homosexual (New Zealand). NZBC news, ref TZP86606. Link: TVNZ

8 February 1972

  • Television news report: Katherine Mansfield manuscript from 1915 discovered (New Zealand). Newsview, ref TZP144383. Link: TVNZ

7 March 1972

  • Television current affairs: interview with Germaine Greer (New Zealand). Gallery, ref TZP49990. Link: TVNZ

14 March 1972

  • Television current affairs: interview with visiting author Germaine Greer (New Zealand). On Camera, ref TZP124621. Link: TVNZ

15 March 1972

  • Ngahuia Volkerling (Te Awekotuku) is refused a United States visa because she is a known lesbian ("sexual deviant") (Auckland). Volkerling returns from the US consulate to Auckland University where she calls an immediate meeting

21 March 1972

  • First publicly advertised meeting of Gay Liberation Front Auckland (Auckland). The group is later renamed Gay Liberation Auckland Inc

26 March 1972

  • Second meeting of Gay Liberation Front Auckland (Auckland). Around 70 people attend

1 April 1972

  • The first National Women's Liberation Conference is held (Wellington). Ngahuia Volkerling (Te Awekotuku) speaks at the conference

2 April 1972

  • Third meeting of Gay Liberation Front Auckland (Auckland)

8 April 1972

  • First Gay Liberation manifesto written (New Zealand)

11 April 1972

  • Gay Day takes place in Albert Park - the first public action of Gay Liberation Front Auckland (Auckland). The action was followed by doing radio and television interviews (for the Gallery programme)

13 April 1972

  • Television current affairs: homosexual law reform (New Zealand). Gallery, ref TZP80134. Link: TVNZ

17 April 1972

  • A Zap action takes palce at the Magistrates Court marriage office (New Zealand)

26 April 1972

  • The US Consul office is picketed (New Zealand). People protested the US Consul's denial of a visa to Ngahuia Volkerling (Te Awekotuku)

18 May 1972

  • Television news report: a petition to legalise brothels (New Zealand). Gallery, ref TZP80259. Link: TVNZ

23 May 1972

  • Gay Liberation Front Christchurch holds its first meeting (Christchurch). Ngahuia Volkerling (Te Awekotuku) had earlier visited Christchurch (2-10 May) and then Wellington

29 May 1972

  • The first Gay (Pride) Week is held in New Zealand (Auckland). Gay Liberation Front Auckland organise a week of activities from Monday 29 May - Monday 5 June. Links: Craccum, Craccum

5 June 1972

  • A Gay Open Day is held in Albert Park (Auckland). The rally is organised by Gay Liberation Front Auckland and takes place on Queen's Birthday Monday. Link: Craccum

July 1972

  • The Broadsheet publication begins (Auckland). It was New Zealand's first feminist magazine

30 July 1972

  • A public meeting takes place about gay liberation (Wellington)

August 1972

  • Gay Liberation Wellington undertakes its first public action - picketing the musical Hair (Wellington)

20 August 1972

  • Gay Liberation holds activities during the University Arts Festival (Auckland)

24 August 1972

  • Television current affairs: sex education in New Zealand (New Zealand). Gallery, ref TZP87786. Link: TVNZ

26 August 1972

  • Television footage: Dame Edna Everage walks through the streets of Auckland (New Zealand). Saturday, ref TZP129960. Link: TVNZ
  • Television news report: looks at the reason behind the first Gay Liberation national conference (New Zealand). NZBC news, ref TZP86605. Link: TVNZ
  • The first National Gay Liberation Conference is held (Auckland). The conferences are held every year until 1989 (except 1983). Link: TVNZ

29 August 1972

  • Television news: (silent) footage of the first National Gay Liberation Conference (Auckland). Gallery, ref TZP87787. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: TVNZ

10 October 1972

  • Television news report: interview with composer Jack Body about Sexus (New Zealand). Review, ref TZP138596. Link: TVNZ

17 November 1972

  • Television news report: the group Knowhow is committed to educating young people about sex (New Zealand). This Day, ref TZP88072. Link: TVNZ

1973

  • Current affairs: profile of author Katherine Mansfield (New Zealand). Newsview, ref: TZP144391. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Singer Shona Laing is interviewed about song-writing (Dunedin). The interview includes Laing singing Lady Dipton. The South Tonight, ref: TZP10295. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: an interview with Rewi Alley (New Zealand). Alley is about to depart on a speaking tour of Australia, ref: TZP454768. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: interview about the late poet Charles Brasch (New Zealand). ref: TZP143992. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: a feature on composer Jack Body and computerised music (New Zealand). Newsview, ref: TZP89169. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The first United Women's Convention has a workshop for "homosexual" women (New Zealand)
  • The group Sisters for Homophile Equality (SHE) Canterbury Inc. is formed (Christchurch). S.H.E. was one of the earliest specifically lesbian groups to emerge from Gay Liberation
  • The group Sisters for Homophile Equality (SHE) Wellington is formed (Wellington)
  • The University of Canterbury Gay Activists' Society is formed (Christchurch)
  • The Victoria University Feminist Group is formed (Wellington)
  • G.L.F. Gay Liberation Front is published (New Zealand)

1 February 1973

March 1973

  • The Gay-Aid phone counseling service is formed (Wellington)

18 March 1973

  • Television current affairs: a look at the life of a transsexual prior to undergoing surgery (New Zealand). This Day, ref TZP86610. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

20 May 1973

  • Writer and poet Charles Brasch dies (New Zealand)

June 1973

  • The cover of Broadsheet shows two lesbians (New Zealand)

24 June 1973

  • Gay Pride Week activities are held (New Zealand). Activities are held throughout New Zealand. In Dunedin the week runs from Sunday 24 - Saturday 30 June. Link: National Library

29 June 1973

  • A Gay Liberation march and rally takes place at Dunedin Town Hall (Dunedin). The rally is part of Gay Pride Week activities. Link: National Library

1 July 1973

5 July 1973

  • Television news report: review of Gay Liberation week (Auckland). On Camera, ref TZP126533. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

11 July 1973

  • Feminine Viewpoint is broadcast on National Radio exploring homosexuality (New Zealand). The programme features broadcaster Lindsay Perigo, with Prof G.H. Robb (past-president of the New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society), Dr Anthony Taylor, clergymen and some young homosexuals. Feminine Viewpoint broadcast at 10:45am

20 October 1973

  • Television news report: interview with visiting morals campaigner Mary Whitehouse (New Zealand). Whitehouse was invited to tour by the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards. NZBC News, ref: TZP86099. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

22 October 1973

  • Television: artist Toss Woollaston talks about painter John Constable (New Zealand). Review, ref: TZP6434. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

November 1973

  • The group Rotorua Gay Liberation Front is formed (Rotorua)

December 1973

  • Circle publication begins (Wellington). Published by Sisters for Homophile Equality (SHE), it is later renamed Lesbian Feminist Circle

1974

  • Gay Liberation Front Victoria University of Wellington ends (Wellington)
  • Herstory Press is formed (Wellington)
  • Television news report: interview with composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein (New Zealand). Nationwide, ref: TZP96736. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: paintings in Charles Brasch's collection (New Zealand). The South Tonight, ref: TZP88757. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: interview with artist Toss Woollaston (New Zealand). The South Tonight, ref: TZP88607. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: Max Cryer - entertainer of the year 1973 (New Zealand). Ref: TZP147747. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The Women's Centre opens (Christchurch). The Centre is established by radical feminists, members of SHE and the Socialist Action League

March 1974

  • Gay activists talk to a Lincoln High School liberal studies class (Canterbury region)
  • Gay Feminist Collective is formed (New Zealand)
  • Gay Liberation Nelson is formed (Nelson)
  • The Lesbian Club is formed (Wellington)

3 March 1974

  • The first National Lesbian Conference is held (Wellington). Around forty delegates attended from throughout the country. It was organised by SHE (Sisters for Homophile Equality)

April 1974

  • Circle magazine is marked "strictly not for men" (New Zealand). It is later changed to "women only"

2 May 1974

  • Television current affairs: should sex education be taught in schools (New Zealand). Nationwide, ref TZP121235. Link: TVNZ

6 June 1974

23 June 1974

  • Gay Pride Week takes place in Christchurch (Christchurch). The week includes: GAS Teach-In at USCR 7.30pm on Thursday 27 June, Gay Pride March on Friday 28 June (assemble Victoria Square 6.45pm) - "Support Homosexual Equality - March for Gay Rights", Gay Pride Dance on Saturday 29 June at Hagley Hall, 22 St Asaph Street

24 June 1974

  • Television current affairs: Gay Pride week (New Zealand). Features an interview with a gay man (and his father) in Coromandel preparing to march solo in solidarity with other pride marches. Look North, ref TZP2100. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

9 July 1974

  • Television report: the Prime Minister Norman Kirk will not support homosexual law reform (New Zealand). NZBC news, ref TZP86612. Kirk says he won't support any legislation that treats homosexuality as normal behaviour. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

24 July 1974

  • National MP Venn Young introduces the Crimes Amendment Bill 1974 (New Zealand). The Bill is the first parliamentary attempt at homosexual law reform in New Zealand. The age of consent is set at 21. Links: Hansard, NZ Legal Information Institute
  • Television news report: the Crimes Amendment Bill 1974 has been introduced to Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill seeks to legalise homosexual acts between consenting adults in private. The age-of-consent is set at 21. NZBC news, ref TZP86611. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

19 September 1974

  • Television news report: an interview with a visiting moral educationalist (New Zealand). Teaching morals and sex to school children. Nationwide, ref: TZP123086. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

26 September 1974

  • Television: author Witi Ihimaera wins the Watties Book of the Year Award for his novel Tangi (New Zealand). The South Tonight, ref: TZP359531. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

3 October 1974

  • Television news report: moral educational studies at Naenae College in Lower Hutt (Wellington region). ref: TZP131964. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

1975

  • Auckland Gay Welfare Group is formed (Auckland). The group later becomes the Auckland Gay/Lesbian Welfare Group (circa 1984)
  • Club 69 is formed (New Zealand). The social club was established circa 1975 (exact date unknown)
  • Gay Liberation Front Taranaki (GLT) is formed (Taranaki region). GLT is later renamed Taranaki Gay Society
  • Labour MP Gerald Wall moves an amendment to the Crimes Amendment Bill (New Zealand). The amendment proposes that any communication to people under 20 that homosexuality is normal is punishable by two years imprisonment. Link: Hansard
  • Television news report: interview with a gay vicar (New Zealand). Refers to discrimination by some churches. Look North, ref: TZP2097. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: interview with musician Shona Laing (New Zealand). Ref: TZP6847. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) is formed (Christchurch). In 1980 CHE moved its operations to Wellington
  • The Gay Publishing Collective is formed (Auckland). The Collective publishes New Zealand Gay News. It later becomes OUT! Magazine in September 1977. Links: NZ.com, LAGANZ

February 1975

  • Members of SHE Christchurch help organise the first Women's Refuge conference (Christchurch)
  • The second National Lesbian Conference is held (New Zealand)

16 February 1975

  • Television news report: Father Felix Donnelly speaks out against the Roman Catholic church's submission on homosexual law reform (New Zealand). TV news, ref TZP32842. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

24 March 1975

  • Television news report: an item on homosexuality and the church (New Zealand). Look North, ref: TZP10578. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

May 1975

  • The Dorian Society Christchurch is formed (Christchurch)

1 May 1975

  • Television current affairs: interview with Carmen Rupe (Wellington). Rupe talks candidly about prostitution, homosexual law reform and reveals that there are both gay and bisexual Members of Parliament. She would later have to apologise to Parliament's Privileges Committee. Tonight at Nine, ref TZP4412. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: TVNZ

2 May 1975

  • A Parliamentary Select Committee reports back on the Crimes Amendment Bill (New Zealand). The Committee recommends the age of consent be reduced from 21 to 20

21 May 1975

  • Parliament votes to have the Privileges Committee investigate Carmen Rupe's claim that there are gay and bisexual Members of Parliament (New Zealand). Link: Hansard

31 May 1975

  • Television comedy: a skit sending up Patricia Bartlett (New Zealand). Dean on Saturday, ref TZP6108. Link: TVNZ

June 1975

  • The United Women's Convention is held (Wellington). An estimated 200 women attended the lesbian feminist workshop

1 June 1975

  • Television news report: backgrounder before interview with MP Gerard Wall (New Zealand). Seven Days, ref: TZP2235. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

3 June 1975

  • 6.30pm television news reported on the Miss New Zealand Drag Queen Contest (New Zealand). Link: Christchurch Press

4 July 1975

4 October 1975

November 1975

  • Robin Duff stands in the General Election as an openly gay candidate for the Values party (Christchurch)

20 November 1975

  • Television current affairs: an interview with Vanessa (New Zealand). Vanessa talks about sexual reassignment surgeries and current employment hardships. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive.Speakeasy, ref TZP2286. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

15 December 1975

1976

  • Befriend is formed (Christchurch). The group was earlier known as Gays-An and was one of the earliest counseling services in Christchurch
  • Daybreak, New Zealand's first feminist bookshop opens (Dunedin)
  • Eros Northland is formed (Whangarei). The social group was provisionally named The 'G' Club
  • Gay Teachers and Students Union is formed (Christchurch). The Union is later renamed Gays in Education in 1981
  • Labour MP Gerald O'Brien is charged with molesting two boys (Christchurch). It was alleged that O'Brien asked them back to his motel room for a drink. The charges were thrown out at a depositions hearing. Later O'Brien commented it was an "attempt by my political enemies to get rid of me.". Links: Wikipedia, Stuff
  • Television "Edwards on Saturday" discusses sex and people (New Zealand). ref: TZP18096. . Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television Domeena Renshaw talks about sexual dysfunction (New Zealand). ref: TZP22995. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television Domeena Renshaw talks about sexual dysfunction (New Zealand). ref: TZP22994. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television Mangere Labour Party Electoral Committee support Colin Moyle (New Zealand). ref: TZP25502. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: a reporter asks Labour MP Colin Moyle if he is homosexual (New Zealand). ref: TZP1047605. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news: items on the Colin Moyle affair (New Zealand). Features Robert Muldoon, Colin Moyle and Barry Gustafson, ref: TZP1047762. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Spiral women's art magazine begins (New Zealand)

27 February 1976

April 1976

  • Diana Marvel Speaks magazine begins (Wellington). The magazine is published by a Radical Feminist Caucus including members of the Wellington Feminist Collective

12 April 1976

  • Television feature: Big Brother, Little Sister by Witi Ihimaera (New Zealand). Winners and Losers, ref TZD569. Link: TVNZ

3 May 1976

  • Television feature: A Great Day by Frank Sargeson (New Zealand). Winners and Losers, ref TZD571. Link: TVNZ

17 May 1976

  • Television current affairs: photographer Brian Brake (New Zealand). Today at One, ref TZP3332. Link: TVNZ

11 June 1976

17 June 1976

  • Man committed to stand trial after allegedly doing an indecent act in a public toilet (Christchurch). Link: The Press

11 July 1976

24 July 1976

  • Nine members of Gay Liberation Wellington picket the National Party conference (Rotorua). MP Venn Young tells one of the protesters, Alan Seymour, "You people are doing more harm than good to your cause. Why don't you just go away?" Seymour would later write an impassioned letter in Saliant magazine about the exchange: "No Mr Young we will not just go away, back into our closets to lead an oppressed existence. We refuse to put up with the humiliation of the pallid tokens of liberal tolerance any longer...". Link: Saliant

8 August 1976

  • Gay Pride Week takes place, 8-14 August (Wellington). Activities attract nearly 300 people and receive media publicity. Link: Saliant

20 August 1976

  • Television news report: Gay Pride Week (New Zealand). Looks at the Gay Liberation Movement's Gay Pride Week. Tonight, ref: TZP3871. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: Bruce Mason on "Courting Blackbird" (New Zealand). ref: TZP2031. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

24 August 1976

  • National MP Marilyn Waring is outed by the NZ Truth newspaper (New Zealand). The headline on the front page reads "MP's Odd Love Affair". The story begins "Marilyn Waring, National Member of Parliament for Raglan, is a lesbian. Her lover is a former Hamilton housewife and mother of three, who left her husband and children about three months ago to share a Wellington love nest."

31 August 1976

  • Television news report: reaction in Raglan to NZ Truth's articles outing MP Marilyn Waring (New Zealand). Tonight, ref: TZP3854. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

September 1976

  • The Back Street Theatre tours the country (New Zealand). The theatre group is formed by the National Radical Feminist Caucus

17 September 1976

  • Gay Liberation Wellington take part in an abortion march to mark Suffrage Day (Wellington). The group marches under the banner "Free Our Sisters - Free Ourselves". Link: Saliant

15 October 1976

23 October 1976

  • The fifth National Gay Liberation Conference is held over Labour weekend (Wellington). The conference is promoted with the text: repeal all anti-homosexual laws; ban discrimination against gays! The conference takes place in the Student Union Building at Victoria University. Link: Salient

2 November 1976

4 November 1976

  • National Prime Minister Robert Muldoon accuses Colin Moyle of having been picked up for homosexual activity (New Zealand). Link: Hansard
  • Television: Interview with Colin Moyle and Robert Muldoon (New Zealand). ref: TZP3793. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

9 November 1976

  • Television: Minister of Police Mick Connelly questioned about Moyle Affair (New Zealand). ref: TZP3790. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

1 December 1976

  • Matthew Shepard is born (Wyoming, United States of America). Shepard was murdered in October 1998 in Wyoming by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Link: Wikipedia

16 December 1976

1977

  • Gay Liberation Auckland Inc. ends (Auckland)
  • Labour MP Colin Moyle resigns from Parliament (New Zealand). Moyle resigns after it is made public by Prime Minister Robert Muldoon that he had been questioned by the police on suspicion of homosexual activities
  • Lesbians demand and get the removal of male reporters from the United Women's Convention (Christchurch)
  • National Gay Rights Coalition Resource Centre opens (Wellington). The Centre later becomes the Lesbian and Gay Rights Resource Centre
  • Television: Rewi Alley interviewed about China (China). ref: TZP1047822. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: Rewi Alley interviewed about China (China). ref: TZP1047822. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: the resignation of Colin Moyle and the Mangere by-election (Auckland). ref: TZP27816. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The Alliance group is formed (Otago region). The group later becomes the Otago Gay Equality Society in May 1978
  • The Amazons lesbian softball team is formed (Wellington)
  • Wanganui Gay Rights Group is formed (Whanganui)

January 1977

  • A lesbian summer camp is held (Canterbury region). The camp is held at Glentui in North Canterbury
  • The Campaign to Oppose Persecution begins (Wellington). The campaign was in response to scandals involving allegations of homosexuality against Members of Parliament
  • The first New Year's camp at Vinegar Hill takes place (Rangitikei region). Link: Vinegar Hill

8 January 1977

  • A meeting is held to set up the National Gay Rights Coalition of New Zealand (New Zealand)

February 1977

  • Gay Liberation pickets the Labour Party conference for failing to defend MP Colin Moyle (New Zealand)
  • The Auckland Gay Social Club is formed (Auckland). The club later becomes the Laetus Social Club in March 1978
  • The social Hawkes Bay Gay Society is formed (Hawke's Bay region)

11 February 1977

  • Television: Founding of a group opposing the persecution of MPs Marilyn Waring, Gerald O'Brien and Colin Moyle (New Zealand). ref: TZP28785. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

14 February 1977

15 February 1977

  • Television news report: Labour Party selects a candidate to replace Colin Moyle (New Zealand). ref: TZP27933. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

March 1977

  • Christchurch Women's Liberation Collective is formed (Christchurch)

15 March 1977

  • Television news report: Marilyn Waring attacks the way Social Welfare benefits are administered (New Zealand). Ref TZP29293 and TZP29294. Links: TVNZ (1), TVNZ (2)

22 March 1977

  • Television news report: By-election in Mangere after the resignation of Colin Moyle (Auckland). Ref TZP27818. Links: TVNZ, Wikipedia

29 March 1977

  • Television news report: the Homosexual Law Reform Society says discrimination against homosexuals should be illegal (New Zealand). The Society was appearing before the Select Committee on Human Rights. Ref TZP28786. Link: TVNZ

April 1977

  • Lesbians Ignite Fire Brigade is formed (Wellington)

May 1977

  • Lesbians picket Parliament for the repeal of abortion laws (Wellington)
  • The Lesbian Club ends (Wellington)

6 June 1977

July 1977

  • Gay Pride Week activities are organised (Whanganui)
  • The National Gay Rights Coalition is formerly established (New Zealand). The coalition comes out of discussions held during the fifth National Gay and Lesbian Conference held in Wellington in October 1976. Link: Salient

1 July 1977

  • Gay Pride Week activities are organised throughout the country (New Zealand)

7 July 1977

  • The Human Rights Commission Bill Committee reports back to Parliament (New Zealand). Between 23 February and 8 June 1977 the Committee held 13 meetings and received 127 submissions (oral and written). The Committee was asked to include, among other things, sexual orientation in the list of prohibited forms of discrimination. However all of these new grounds were rejected by the Committee who instead wanted the new Human Rights Commission to recommend additions to the Act. Link: Hansard

24 July 1977

  • A wreath laying ceremony is held at Wellington cenotaph (Wellington). The ceremony is held as part of Gay Pride Week and commemorates homosexuals killed and persecuted during World War II. It's organised by Gay Liberation. The wreath is placed at the cenotaph by Carol Luck and John Hayward. The event is followed by a cup of tea and informal church service in the lounge at St Andrews on the Terrace
  • Television: Memorial for homosexuals killed in the First World War (New Zealand). ref: TZP32635. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

28 July 1977

August 1977

  • Manawatu Gay Rights Association (MAGRA) is formed (Palmerston North). The Association is later renamed Manawatu Lesbian and Gay Rights Association (MALGRA). It is New Zealand's longest running LGBTI rainbow rights and social organisation. Links: NZ.com, LAGANZ

September 1977

  • OUT! Magazine begins publication (Auckland). OUT! was originally published by the Gay Publishing Collective It grew out of New Zealand Gay News which began in 1975. The first edition of OUT! Magazine was the September/October 1977 issue. Links: NZ.com, LAGANZ

16 September 1977

October 1977

  • A National Gay Rights Coalition conference is held (New Zealand)

3 October 1977

7 December 1977

  • Television: discussion about the introduction of the massage parlours Bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP25601. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

1978

  • Auckland Gay Rights Activists is formed (Auckland)
  • Gay Liberation Front Christchurch ends (Christchurch)
  • Gay Rights of Waikato is formed (Waikato region)
  • The social Victoria Club is formed (Wellington)
  • The Taranaki Gay Society is formed (Taranaki region). The Society grew out of Gay Liberation Taranaki

9 February 1978

  • Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard is born (Auckland). Link: Wikipedia

27 February 1978

March 1978

  • The Laetus Social Club is formed (Auckland). The Club grew out of the Auckland Gay Social Club

25 March 1978

  • The National Coalition for Gay Rights conference is held at Victoria University over the Easter weekend (Wellington). Workshops include gay welfare, coming out, older gays, gays outside the main centres, politics of being gay, gays and other minorities, sexism and sex stereotyping. The conference ended on Easter Sunday with a spontaneous march on Parliament. A marcher was quoted in Saliant magazine as saying "if you are discriminated against, you can't ever take a holiday from that discrimination.". Links: Salient (1), Salient (2), TVNZ

27 March 1978

  • Television news report: the National Coalition for Gay Rights says that homosexuality will be an issue for the upcoming General Election (New Zealand). Ref TZP28828. Link: TVNZ

10 April 1978

  • Television news report: author Shere Hite visits New Zealand to promote her book The Hite Report (New Zealand). Ref TZP27385. Link: TVNZ

16 April 1978

  • Television current affairs: photographer Brian Brake (New Zealand). Sundays World, ref TZP2771. Link: TVNZ

17 April 1978

  • Television current affairs: Lawyer Mike Bungay talks about Colin Moyle and the North Report (New Zealand). Dateline Monday, ref TZP1124. Link: TVNZ

17 May 1978

  • An electrical fire occurs at Sun Sauna (Wellington). Link: WCC Archives

30 June 1978

  • Television: Gay Pride's "Blue Jean Day" (New Zealand). ref: TZP28739. Gay pride activists called for homosexuals to wear denim in order to show everyone that gay people, like jeans, can be found almost everywhere. . Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

26 August 1978

2 September 1978

12 September 1978

14 September 1978

  • Newspaper report: BCNZ bans the song Glad to Be Gay by Tom Robinson (New Zealand). The newspaper notes that Beverly Wakem, a broadcasting official, insists that this was not attempt to discriminate against gay people, citing the broadcaster's earlier attempts to expand "understanding of the views of Gay people" in its programming. Link: Bay Area Reporter

22 October 1978

  • Empire Tavern holds the "Empire Debutante Drag Ball" (Auckland)

November 1978

  • Robin Duff and Sandy Gauntlett stand in the General Election (New Zealand). They are both openly gay candidates for the Values Party

27 November 1978

  • Harvey Milk is assassinated (San Francisco, United States of America). Link: Wikipedia

30 November 1978

  • Diplomat Alister McIntosh dies

1979

  • Breathing Space, a coming-out group for lesbians is formed (Wellington)
  • Gay Switchboard is formed (Wellington)
  • Help End Repressive Attitudes (HERA) is formed (Dunedin). HERA is a support group for lesbians
  • Labour MP Warren Freer introduces a Crimes Amendment Bill to decriminalise homosexual acts (New Zealand). The Bill has a proposed age of consent of 20
  • Television: Rewi Alley documentary (worldwide). ref: TZP74331. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The first Reclaim The Night march is held (Wellington)
  • The Gay Community Centre opens (Wellington). The Centre is located at 6 Boulcott Street. Link: LAGANZ
  • The Gay Health Workers Alliance (GHWA) is established (New Zealand). Links: Bay Area Reporter, LAGANZ
  • The Hecate Women's Health Collective opens (Wellington). The Collective is located at 6 Boulcott Street
  • The Otago Gay Support Group is formed (Otago region)
  • The Otago University Gay Rights Society is formed (Otago region)
  • The Taranaki Gay Society ends (Taranaki region)
  • The Women's Resource Centre opens (Wellington). The Centre is located at 6 Boulcott Street

27 March 1979

  • Television news report: Margaret Scott receives funding to continue editing the letters of Katherine Mansfield (New Zealand). Focus, ref TZP27377. Link: TVNZ

15 April 1979

  • Ascent Wellington is formed for gay and lesbian Catholics (Wellington)

25 April 1979

  • Television news report: a film crew flies to China to make two documentaries on Rewi Alley (Auckland). Ref TZP27535. Link: TVNZ

May 1979

  • The Nelson Gay Welfare group is formed (Nelson). Link: LAGANZ

7 May 1979

  • Television current affairs: women performing their own abortions (New Zealand). Interviewee Marilyn Waring. Dateline Monday, ref TZP1048. Link: TVNZ

14 May 1979

  • Television feature: A Matter of Style - Quentin Crisp with Davina Whitehouse (New Zealand). Features footage of Crisp's visit to New Zealand in 1978, performing in Takapuna. Ref TZP97073. Link: TVNZ
  • Pink Triangle magazine begins (New Zealand). The magazine is produced by the National Gay Rights Coalition and is an important source of news and feature articles. The magazine is distributed nationally, with the first issue published on 14 May 1979. The magazine's last issue is September/October 1990. Link: Auckland Museum

26 June 1979

  • As part of Gay Pride Week a radio interview is broadcast featuring members of the Nelson Gay Welfare Group (Nelson). The interview is broadcast on 2ZN. A copy of the interview is available at the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand. Link: LAGANZ

29 June 1979

2 July 1979

  • Television: homosexual employees of the Defence Department will be discharged (New Zealand). ref: TZP1031. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

August 1979

  • Ascent Christchurch is formed for gay and lesbian Catholics (Christchurch)
  • Geyserland Gay Club is formed (Rotorua)

11 August 1979

  • Television: National Gay Rights Coalition (NGRC) making recommendations to the Human Rights Commission (New Zealand). ref: TZP28741. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

12 August 1979

16 August 1979

4 September 1979

5 September 1979

7 September 1979

19 September 1979

  • Tāmati Coffey is born (Lower Hutt). Coffey became a Member of Parliament in 2017. Link: Wikipedia

9 November 1979

December 1979

  • Nelson Gay Society is formed (Nelson). The Society grew out of the Nelson Gay Welfare Group
  • Puss-in-Boots bar is picketed for excluding lesbians and gays (New Zealand)
URL:https://www.pridenz.com/timeline/1970s.html