1974 British Commonwealth Games (Christchurch)

A DigitalNZ Story by National Library Services to Schools

The 1974 British Commonwealth Games known as the 'Friendly Games', took place in Christchurch from 24 January to 2 February. Over 1200 athletes from 38 countries took part. Aotearoa NZ won a total of 35 medals — 9 gold, 8 silver and 18 bronze.

social_sciences, history, health

Image: 1974 Commonwealth Games commemorative medal

1974 Commonwealth Games commemorative medal

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Held in Christchurch, the 10th British Commonwealth Games were dubbed ‘the friendly games’, and had a relaxed, joyful atmosphere, despite the strong security presence in the wake of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre.

The New Zealand public’s enthusiasm for these Commonwealth Games was high from an early stage. The extensive television coverage had the added appeal of newly arrived colour technology. New Zealand athletes had their best games since 1950, winning nine gold, eight silver and 18 bronze medals

 Source: Olympic and Commonwealth games — New Zealand as the Commonwealth Games host, Te Ara — The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

OPENING CEREMONY

Image: Xth British Commonwealth Games

Xth British Commonwealth Games

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

POSTERS FOR VARIOUS COMMONWEALTH GAMES SPORTS EVENTS

Image: Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Poster, 'Xth British Commonwealth Games'

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

MEDALS AND MEDAL WINNERS

Image: bronze medal, British Commonwealth Games 1974

bronze medal, British Commonwealth Games 1974

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: silver medal, British Commonwealth Games 1974

silver medal, British Commonwealth Games 1974

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: gold medal, British Commonwealth Games 1974

gold medal, British Commonwealth Games 1974

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Winning gold, 1974

Winning gold, 1974

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Jaynie Parkhouse

Jaynie Parkhouse

Radio New Zealand

Image: Commonwealth Games medals: Mark Treffers, 1974

Commonwealth Games medals: Mark Treffers, 1974

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Graham May, 1974 Commonwealth Games

Graham May, 1974 Commonwealth Games

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

MEMORABILIA

Image: Scarf, Commonwealth Games 1974

Scarf, Commonwealth Games 1974

Wyndham & Districts Historical Museum

Image: Commonwealth Games tie pin

Commonwealth Games tie pin

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: boxed commemorative coin, British Commonwealth Games 1974

boxed commemorative coin, British Commonwealth Games 1974

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Queen Elizabeth II Park, Christchurch

Queen Elizabeth II Park, Christchurch

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Badge

Badge

Mangawhai Museum

Image: 1974 Commonwealth Games ticket display

1974 Commonwealth Games ticket display

Christchurch City Libraries

Image: 'Queen's Message Relay' singlet

'Queen's Message Relay' singlet

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

VIDEOS

Image: Christchurch 1974

Christchurch 1974

NZ On Screen

Image: Games 74

Games 74

NZ On Screen

Image: NZ Army Band at the Commonwealth Games, 1974

NZ Army Band at the Commonwealth Games, 1974

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Opening ceremony, 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games

Opening ceremony, 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Remember '74

Remember '74

NZ On Screen

This story was curated and compiled by Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa | National Library of New Zealand, Services to Schools staff, 2022.