New Zealand's Trams. Once Were Wonderful.

Trams were everywhere in NZ 100 years ago, but then by the second half last century they weren’t really anywhere. In fact today they don't form a part of a official commuter public transport in any city.

But in spite of that, NZ's tramway history is rich and varied, boasting a fleet that included horse-drawn, cable, electric, funicular, and even battery-operated trams over a century ago.

[stevekingdon]

I'm an ex-Kiwi now living in Zetland, Sydney and I just watched your video on the proposed light rail to Green Square. I'm a bit too young to remember trams in New Zealand, but I lived in both Auckland and Christchurch and have been on their respective tram tourist loops. Do remember riding the trolley buses in Auckland though, and a visit to Farmers in the mid-70s was a big hit with us youngsters; it's definitely a bygone era in New Zealand. Interesting history and thanks for the video!!

[scottlewisparsons]

Thank you for an interesting video. I am a kiwi who lives in Sydney. I was on the last tram in Wellington…for the last say one hundred metres or so, I ran, grabbed onto a pole on the rear platform a hung on! When I was very young I traveled on the Auckland trams and lived on the Seatoun route in Wellington.

[zionriki]

Thank you for this im from Christchurch and didnt even know this

[peterswatton]

Well done. I can remember catching Auckland trams when I was a toddler.

[danielmatata]

You may of mentioned it as you did re the Cable car system in Dunedin. The Cable Car is still running from Lambton Quay to Kelburn in Wellington.

[kiwiaver]

Hopefully you get to visit / film the Wellington tramway museum sometime! Cool video!

[loganenglish]

Great video. Well researched and well put together! A few minor corrections.

The Auckland system (And, although I may show my bias, the most superior system) Started officially in November 1902. The opening ceremony took place on the 17th, however operations didn't begin until the 24th. 11 of the original motormen originally came from the Sydney tramways and they came over on a ship called the 'Elingamite' which sank en route. With the company loosing 3 of their own, to allow the survivors time to recover the opening was delayed.

The Wanganui Corp. Tramways had 28 electric trams with six trailers.
The Wellington City Corp. Tramways had 261 electric trams.
The Dunedin City Corp. Electric Tramways had 72 electric trams with six trailers.

Those figures out of 'Always a tram in sight' by Graham Stewart. It is a bible for tramway rolling stock in NZ and if you can pick up a copy, it is well worth it. Very similar to a 'Destination: City' or a 'Destination: Circular Quay'.

[tdb]

I have an odd fascination with Invercargill, so I was happy to see you mention it. It just seems so isolated, so far away. For someone from Perth (as I am) to think a place looks remote is really saying something.

[RGC]

Hi Marty, great video. Well done catching all the old tram footage. I missed seeing most the NZ trams, as I traveled there several times during the 1970's. I did manage to ride on the original Kelburn cable car in Wellington and when there again in 1979, I was able to take one of the first rides on the current Kelburn cable car on the official opening day. I have also been on the Farmer's free trolleybus in Auckland the same year. Just of interest, there was also a separate steam tram service at Takapuna in Auckland. Apparently, it was never joined to the rest of the system. Nelson also ran a horse tram service in the early days. Anyway, take care. Rob in Melbourne Australia.

[neilforbes]

And while you were over there, did you have a feed of that famous NZ *Fush & Chups?* LOL😃

[hypercomms]

Must grate that you have not yet done a video on the city that did not get rid of their trams... MELBOURNE! The city that has the biggest tram network in the world! ... whereas Sydney chucked out theirs... while Melbourne kept theirs... and what a smart decision that was! That is why Melbourne is the now the biggest and best city in "Oz"tralia!!

[BigBlueMan]

Its so sad and stupid the benefits+need for Auckland to build a light rail line through the City and down its busiest bus corridor was identified about the same time as Sydney, early last decade. Sydney just got on with building theirs and pedestrianised its Main street; its not perfect, there is still Work needed. But Auckland kept changing its plan and debating what the Line was actually for or whether street space would be tanken from cars. And eventually mucked around so long they did nothing.

[alanmoss]

I believe you missed out the Auckland North Shore tramway which ran between Takapuna and Devonport where it connected to the ferry to the CBD

[KiwiTomCrawford]

as with so much that happened in the 50's and 60's, mistakes were made, so much "old" stuff was thrown away in favour of the "new and modern"