The Beatles arrived in New Zealand on Sunday 21 June 1964 for an eight-day visit after touring Denmark, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Australia.  

Titles of songs from their first four albums are used to illustrate the Fab Four's experiences in NZ, as recounted by those who met the band and/or went to one of their twelve shows held in Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch.

                                                                                                 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

1. "Eight days a week" in NZ: 21 - 28 June 1964

Fans flocked to see and hear the "Fab Four" musicians from Liverpool - John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr - during their eight-day tour of New Zealand. The Beatles had become popular overseas and in NZ following the release of their first two albums "Please Please Me" (March 1963) and "With the Beatles" (November 1963). Both albums and singles had been released in New Zealand on Parlophone through His Master’s Voice (NZ) Ltd. The Beatles had also appeared on the British music programme, "Top of the Pops" produced by the BBC, which was shown in NZ.  In November 1963, the British press coined a phrase for the frenzied fans: Beatlemania. 

Find out more:

For an account of behind-the-scenes planning by airline traffic supervisor Peter Andrews, see: NZHerald (23 June 2014), "It was 50 years ago: Beatles in NZ, day by day". 

To find out what happened to John Lennon's tiki and information about the Te Pataka Concert Party, see: Charlie Gates, "Beatles tiki tour – How John Lennon's plastic tiki became a Kiwi family heirloom" (19 Jan 2019), URL: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109543613/beatles-tiki-tour--how-john-lennons-plastic-tiki-became-a-kiwi-family-heirloom

See film of the Beatles standing on the ute and waving at the fans: British Pathé : The Beatles Arrive In New Zealand 1964 (Length 2:13)

You can also listen to this audio account of the Beatles arriving in NZ:  RNZ: "The Beatles New Zealand Tour 1964 Part 1: The Arrival, URL:  https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2600011/the-beatles-new-zealand-tour-1964-part-1

2. "There's a place": Stayed at St. George Hotel

"Please Please Me": Paul borrows a guitar

For reminiscences about the Beatles staying at the St. George Hotel, including Paul McCartney borrowing a guitar to use in his hotel room as the band's gear had been taken to the Wellington Town Hall, see:  Audioculture: Chris Bourke, 'Beatles invade New Zealand, 1964": URL: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/beatles-invade-new-zealand-1964  

"You can't do that": Schoolgirls scaling fire escapes & bomb scares

Manager of the St George Hotel, Frank Drewitt, has shared memories of the Beatles' stay, including schoolgirls trying to reach the Beatles' floor by climbing up fire escapes.  Newspapers also reported that police had received telephone calls that bomb attacks would be made on the St. George Hotel and the Wellington Town Hall. (See Audioculture, ibid)

"Boys": Press conference

"Do you want to know a secret": Interviews with John & Ringo

You can listen to:

'John Lennon interview in New Zealand, 1964', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/sound/john-lennon-in-new-zealand-interview-1964, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 8-Jan-2015 

'Ringo Starr interview in New Zealand, 1964', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/sound/ringo-starr-in-new-zealand-interview-1964, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 8-Mar-2013 

"All I've got to do": Lead up to the concerts

"Can't buy me love": Additional singles released by HMV

Additional songs were released as singles by HMV (His Masters Voice) in NZ: 

"From late April through to June 1964, HMV released as New Zealand singles ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ b/w ‘You Can’t Do That’ (from the film A Hard Day’s Night, which wouldn’t come out until July), and several other singles taken from early albums or EPs: ‘All My Loving’ b/w ‘Roll Over Beethoven’, ‘Twist and Shout’ b/w ‘Boys’, ‘Money’ b/w ‘Do You Want to Know a Secret’, and ‘Long Tall Sally’ b/w ‘I Call Your Name’."

Source: Audioculture: Chris Bourke, 'Beatles invade New Zealand, 1964": URL: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/beatles-invade-new-zealand-1964  

3. "Twist and Shout": Wellington concerts, 22 - 23 June

"I wanna be your man": Show began with three supporting acts

 See Youtube video: An interview with Johnny Devlin for his reflections on touring with the Beatles. 

"It won't be long": Beatles play setlist of 11 songs over c.30 mins

The  Beatles performed the same 11-song setlist at every show - I Saw Her Standing There, I Want to Hold Your Hand, You Can't Do That, Till There Was You, All My Loving, She Loves You, Roll Over Beethoven, Can't Buy Me Love, This Boy, Long Tall Sally and Twist and Shout. Ringo Starr also sang Boys.  

"I don't want to spoil the party": Screams drowned out the music

Those who attended the concert found that the noise of the fans screaming drowned out the Beatles' singing. Only snatches of some words in a song could be heard, especially during the quieter song, "Till there was you".

"Misery": Inadequate PA sound system

The Beatles complained that the PA sound system during their first concert was too low in volume.  One of the supporting acts, Johnny Devlin contacted Philips Industries to arrange a replacement sound system  which included several 100 watt amplifiers and a big Altec flare speaker. A couple of 15-inch speakers were placed by the organ at the back of the hall, and a couple of columns of speakers were positioned on each side of the stage.  By way of thanks, the Beatles agreed to Devlin's request for a photo with them.  (See story and photo in Audioculture, op cit.)

For reminiscences about the Beatles in Wellington, see:  RNZ: "The Beatles New Zealand Tour 1964 Part 2: The Beatles in Wellington, URL:  https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2600012/the-beatles-new-zealand-tour-1964-part-2

4. "Baby it's you": Ringo Starr's & John Lennon's NZ       family connections

Ringo Starr (born Richard Starkey) was visited in his hotel room by Starkey relatives who were living in the Wellington suburb of Karori. The three sisters, who were thought to be distant cousins of Ringo, were Christine (age 16), Patricia (age 13) and Theresa (age 12) Starkey, whose family moved from Liverpool in 1963. Ringo gave them his autograph and afterwards said,  "It was nice meeting them, but I'm not quite sure where in the family they fit in."  See article with photo: Meet the Beatles for real -  "Ringo's mystery cousins" (24 June 2014)

John Lennon's Aunt Mimi (Mary) Smith who lived in Liverpool was visiting relatives in New Zealand. She stayed at her cousin Annie Parker's Koputaroa farm near Levin for a week prior to the Wellington concerts, and stayed on for months after the tour. Aunt Mimi and the Parker family visited John Lennon at the St George Hotel in Wellington and attended the concert later that evening.

See reminiscences by John Lennon's second cousin Mark Parker in an interview with Paul Williams  (16 June 2020), "Imagine: John Lennon's cousin from New Zealand pressed for memories", Horowhenua Chronicle.

5. "I'll follow the sun": Auckland concerts: 24-25 June

"Misery": Fans jostle Beatles outside Hotel

When the limousine carrying the Beatles from the Whenuapai Airport arrived at the Royal International Hotel, the 2000 waiting fans crowded the vehicle. Only three police had been assigned by the Auckland Police Station to manage the crowd and ensure the Beatles exited their vehicle safely. 

John Lennon said later, “It was a bit rough. I thought definitely a big clump of my hair had gone. I don’t mean just a bit. They’d put about three policemen on for 3000 or 4000 kids and they refused to put more on. ‘We’ve had all sorts over ’ere, we’ve seen them all,’ they said, and they had seen them all as we went crashing to the ground.” Angry, Lennon threatened he wouldn’t perform that night unless more police were on duty." 

Source:  Audioculture: Chris Bourke, 'Beatles invade New Zealand, 1964": URL: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/beatles-invade-new-zealand-1964 

"P.S. I love you": Housemaid kisses Beatle on hotel's balcony 

An 18 year old applied to be a housemaid about a week before the Beatles arrived at the hotel. When the Beatles went out onto the balcony to wave to the fans, she used an adjacent room's fire escape to sneak out to join them. After kissing George, she was noticed by the security guards and was hustled back inside.

Source:  Meet the Beatles for real:  Blog post: Tuesday, June 24 2014 "Not the best welcome in Auckland". See Comment posted on April 2, 2021: http://www.meetthebeatlesforreal.com/2014/06/blog-post_24.html

"Don't bother me":  Chief Superintendent refused to provide extra police for the Civic welcome at the Town Hall

The Auckland Chief Superintendent refused the request by Derek Taylor, the Beatles’ press officer, to provide additional police to escort the Beatles from their hotel to the Auckland Town Hall to attend the Mayor's civic welcome, saying “You are not royalty”.  Mayor Dove-Meyer Robinson arranged with the city’s traffic commissioner to provide civilian patrol vehicles. 

For reminiscences about the Beatles staying at the hotel and their Auckland shows, see:

Andy Neill (23 June 2014), '"The Beatles in Auckland bigger than royalty", Metro: URL: https://www.metromag.co.nz/arts/arts-music/the-beatles-in-auckland-bigger-than-royalty

Audioculture: Chris Bourke, "Beatles invade New Zealand, 1964": URL: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/beatles-invade-new-zealand-1964  

RNZ: The Beatles New Zealand Tour 1964 Part 3: The Beatles in Auckland, URL: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2600013/the-beatles-new-zealand-tour-1964-part-3

6.  "Not a second time": Dunedin concerts: 26 June

Unlike the Wellington and Auckland concerts where four concerts were held over two evenings, two shows only were held in Dunedin which were on the same evening.  

"If I fell": John Lennon thrown through Hotel's door

When the Beatles arrived at the City Hotel in Dunedin there were about two thousand fans waiting who crowded around the entranceway and on the verandah above.  

"John Lennon was the last out of the car and by this time the police and security men had had enough. Dunedin broadcaster Neil Collins remembers the police picking up Lennon and throwing him through the front door. “I mean that. He was airborne when he reached that lift, and he was wearing leather pants and he cut his knee open on the iron of the lift.” Lennon stormed up to his room on the third floor, and refused to attend the press conference. " (Source: Audioculture: op cit) 

Archived photographs of the Dunedin concerts were published by the Otago Daily Times on 9 October 2021 in an article by Hamish MacLean, "The day the Beatles rocked staid Dunedin", URL: https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/day-beatles-rocked-staid-dunedin   

For additional reminiscences about Dunedin, including a "germ bomb" hoax, see: Audioculture: Chris Bourke, 'Beatles invade New Zealand, 1964": URL: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/beatles-invade-new-zealand-1964  

Also see: RNZ:  The Beatles New Zealand Tour 1964 Part 4: The Beatles in Dunedin, URL: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2600014/the-beatles-new-zealand-tour-1964-part-4

7. "I'm happy just to dance with you": Last two      concerts held at Christchurch, 27 June

See reminiscences about the Beatles in Christchurch in the following:

Vicki Anderson, 'Fifty years since Beatles' Christchurch tour", Stuff (11 April 2014):  URL: https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/9929379/Fifty-years-since-Beatles-Christchurch-tour

Audioculture: Chris Bourke, 'Beatles invade New Zealand, 1964": URL: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/beatles-invade-new-zealand-1964 

RNZ:  The Beatles New Zealand Tour 1964 Part 5: The Beatles in Christchurch, URL:  https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2600015/the-beatles-new-zealand-tour-1964-part-5

8. "When I get home": Beatles depart christchurch for Australia: 28 June 1964

The following interviews were held on the plane:

'George Harrison and Ringo Starr interview, 1964', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/sound/george-harrison-and-ringo-starr-interview-1964, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 8-Mar-2013 

'Paul McCartney and John Lennon interview, 1964', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/sound/paul-mccartney-and-john-lennon-interview-july-1964, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 8-Mar-2013 

9. "All my loving": other reminiscences of NZ tour

For other reminiscence by Beatles' fans, musicians and broadcasters, see the list of audio clips compiled by RNZ: "The Beatles New Zealand Tour 1964", URL: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-beatles-new-zealand

10. "I'll be back": Three Beatles re-visited NZ, 1984 - 2017

Three of the Beatles had individual visits to New Zealand between 1984 and 2017. (John Lennon died on 8 December 1980.)

George Harrison (Born 25 Feb 1943 –  Died 29 Nov 2001)

1984: George attended the NZ book launch of the autobiography by former Beatle publicist Derek Taylor - "Fifty Years Adrift" - which George had edited. Publisher was Genesis Publications Limited in association with Hedley New Zealand and Hedley Australia. The book launch luncheon, followed by a press conference, was held at the Auckland Hyatt-Kingsgate Hotel on Wednesday 28 November.

See: 

Youtube: George Harrison & Derek Taylor - Fifty Years Adrift Auckland Press Conference - 28 November 1984: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0r_nrWW6jU

Papers Past: Chris Knox, "A Beatle, a book, a ballroom:, Rip it Up Issue 89, 1 Dec 1984, pp. 12, 14

Paul McCartney (Born 1 June 1942 -     )

1993: "The New World Tour" (which included Linda McCartney) at Western Springs, Auckland on Saturday 27 March 1993

2017:  "One On One" tour at Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland on Saturday 16 December

Ringo Starr (Born 7 July 1940 -     )

2013:  Ringo and his All-Starr Band performed at the CBS Arena, Christchurch on Thursday  7 Feb and at the Vector Arena, Auckland on Saturday 9 February. The Band comprised: Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather (Toto guitarist), Richard Page (Mr Mister bassist), and Gregg Rolie (keyboardist & early singer of Santana and Journey).

See:

Stuff: Matt Davey, "Ringo Starr kicks off tour in Chch"  (12 Feb 2013)

NZ Herald: "Concert review: Ringo Star and His All Starr Band, Vector Arena" (11 Feb 2013)