Having fun NZ Style - US Forces in New Zealand

Having fun, NZ-style

For many people of both nations the most memorable aspect of the American invasion was the home visits. Often these were arranged formally, with New Zealand families signing up to offer the Americans a weekend at home. New Zealanders generally warmed to the extrovert fun of their guests, while the Americans in turn appreciated the home comforts and the genuine kindness offered by their hosts.

'Meet New Zealand'

Although the Americans provided their soldiers with much entertainment, inevitably Kiwi and Yankee met face to face and had fun together. The first occasions on which many New Zealanders actually saw the Americans were formal parades. These became almost ritualistic greeting ceremonies, in which the Americans pierced the press censorship (for six months there was an official press black-out of the Americans' presence) and proclaimed their arrival to the people; in turn, through cheers and waving flags, the people signalled back a welcome.

If these formal occasions impressed New Zealanders with the smart turn-out and well-dressed look of their 'invaders', they did not offer a chance for personal interaction. This might occur when the Americans were out training - as they took a five-minute break while on a route march, perhaps. More often it happened when Americans came into town on their time off. They would wander the streets in ones or twos, gather in favourite milk bars or pubs (if they were open), go off to the movies in the evening or to the races on Saturday. The locals would be asked directions or there would be long-winded explanations about money. The Americans would offer gifts of chewing gum or cigarettes; and frequently, it seems, these casual meetings led in the end to invitations back home.

Meet New Zealand, a booklet produced by the government to introduce US servicemen to New Zealand, included a list of common Kiwi words. Here is a sample

COW: may just mean cow, but may also mean an unpleasant man, woman or situation. These things may also be called, progressively, a FAIR cow, and a FAIR ADJECTIVAL COW.

See the full list here

Home hospitality

The middle-aged women of New Zealand were especially forthcoming in offering home hospitality. Many had sons overseas and were anxious to repay a debt enjoyed by their offspring. Some volunteered to visit the wounded and sick in hospital, but most preferred to entertain at home.

In the absence of commercial entertainment, home visits were an ideal form of recreation, so the authorities also encouraged formal mechanisms for arranging such hospitality. The American Red Cross drew up lists of locals willing to host Americans for the weekend, while the New Zealand-America Friendship Group became even more organised. Their Home Hospitality Bureau, operating in Wellington's Manners Street next door to the Allied Services Club, invited the Americans to register and list their interests in great detail so that they could be matched perfectly with the homes on offer. The bureau also offered short tours on the cable-car and through the Botanical Gardens for those who had but a brief time away from camp, while for those with more time it arranged visits to sheep stations ('ranches' as the Americans described them) or to the South Island. In February 1943 the interisland ferries offered special sailings to allow the visitors to see the 'Mainland'.

Home visits were for many of both nations the most memorable aspect of the American invasion. As was to be expected, communication was not without problems. Many were the soldiers who, asked back for 'tea', filled themselves with a local favourite, 'steak and chips', only to find roast lamb awaiting their arrival.

Americans often thought New Zealanders rather undemonstrative; and they were staggered by the absence of luxuries which the rationing restrictions of the war had imposed. New Zealanders in turn felt that many of the Americans were pampered 'doughboys' who had yet to find out about No.8 fencing wire. Yet, despite the confusion caused by accents and language, close friendships often evolved, and the marine repeatedly 'went ashore' to the same home as if to his own family. New Zealanders warmed to the enthusiasm and extrovert fun of the Americans, and noted especially their generosity and ease with children. There always seemed to be 'Salters' peanuts or 'Babe Ruth' candy bars for any youngster around. The Americans for their part appreciated white linen on the table and the comfort of a soft chair after the conditions of camp life. They enjoyed the unsuspicious kindness with which New Zealanders opened their homes. As they left late at night to catch the 'midnight special' back to camp, the farewell was genuine and heart-felt: 'Thank you, Mom, that was a swell time.'

TEA drinking is the ritual performed at almost all of our social meetings - luckily for you. You will find our black coffee sometimes quite drinkable, but the national brew we call 'white coffee' (about equal parts of coffee and hot milk) will give you about as much kick as a nice cup of Postum. On the other hand our tea is stronger and, we think, better made than yours. So learn to drink tea, rather than risk the coffee.

Extract from Meet New Zealand