Group discussion, Friday night shopping, Kiwi weekend - Manawatu Conversations

Description

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 2nd December 2025. Dianne McConnell, Anne Weir, Mike Lawrence, Stuart Birks. Saturday shopping was banned in NZ from 1945 to give families weekends off.
 Friday night became the main shopping and social time.
 Families travelled into town together for groceries and errands.
 Everything was paid in cash or by cheque, as banks closed at 3pm.
 Department stores offered credit accounts, lay-bys and appro (approval).
 Credit checks were done manually using books and electoral rolls.
 Rural families often relied on vans or corner shops.
 Corner dairies thrived because weekend shopping was restricted.
 Shops sold loose goods measured and wrapped at the counter.
 Tearooms in big stores were social hubs and wedding venues.
 Sport dominated Saturdays before weekend trading began.
 Saturday trading in the 1980s changed routines but felt positive for many.

Identification

Object type

Audio

Date

December 2, 2025