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Alan Morris introduces Compass: Part 1.
Dr Reg Harrison, a senior lecturer in political science at Victoria University, examines the impact of the first five years of television in New Zealand and what lies ahead.
Britain began regular television in 1936 and the United States of America in 1939.
A NZ Departmental Committee was established to advise the Government of television developments overseas. In 1955 Government set up a Caucus Committee to investigate and advise. In 1957 A Select Committee in parliament was established to do the same thing.
It was three years before Government made any decisions about transmitting, after private transmitters like the Bell Radio TV Corporation introduced television to Auckland.
Mr Walter Nash had to make a decision whether to control television or leave it to private investors.
By January 1960 the Minister announced ‘‘The Government is satisfied that it is in the interests of the people of New Zealand and in fact, their wish that television should be owned and controlled by the State.’’
AKTV2 began transmission in 1962.