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14 December 2006
30 Years of the Metric System
Thirty years ago today the metric system was
introduced into New Zealand says Consumer
Affairs Minister Judith Tizard.
The Weights and Measures Amendment Act
became law on the 14 December 1976.
“It was logical for New Zealand to adopt the
metric system as it was being used by our
trade and export partners around the world,”
says Judith Tizard.
"Developing and growing
our trade with other countries was, and
still is, crucial to our economy.”
“Today metrication is the internationally
recognised system of measurement that forms
the basis of international trade. It has
become critical to New Zealand’s
international trade, as a significant amount
of the goods we trade are measured by
length, weight and volume in the metric
system.”
“For the last 30 years traders selling goods
by weight or measure have been legally
required to sell and advertise goods using
the metric system.”
The change from the imperial system to the
metric system started in 1969 with the
establishment of the Metric Advisory Board (MAB)
which made the change over to the metric
system over seven years.
Publicity campaigns at the time focused on
the benefits of metrification and how the
changes that would affect all aspects of
life – even our national sport, as a press
release from 19 June 1975 pointed out:
“New Zealand’s national game has changed the
size of its rugby fields. What used to be
the 25 yard line is now 22 metres from the
goal line.”
“Now 30 years on the metric system is part
of our daily lives; we ask for petrol in
litres, buy apples by the kilo and travel
distances by the kilometre. However, there
are still a few remnants from the imperial
system of 30 years ago that we can’t seem to
shake.”
“A quick look at the birth announcements in
the weekend newspapers confirms that some
parents still publish their baby’s weight in
pounds and ounces. Some of us even still
refer to our height in feet and inches. How
many times have you heard someone ask for a
‘pint’ in a bar? But these examples are the
imperial exception and not the metric rule,”
says Judith Tizard.
Background
Weights and Measures Act 1987
The Weights and Measures Act 1987 states how
traders must use the metric system.
Traders are obliged to use the metric system
of weights and measures:
- In relation to any matter, work, goods, or
entering into any contract or transaction,
when using a reference to any weight or
measure
- When using for trade any weighing or
measurement system
- Obligation to use metric system in
advertising goods for sale:
- Traders and businesses must package,
price, advertise and display units of weight
or measurement using the metric system.
Some exemptions exist for products that have
been imported from countries that allow
non-metric units of measurement, but only if
the metric equivalent is also used.
The above information is an interpretation
of the obligations and does not represent
the full requirements of the Weights and
Measures Act 1987. Please
visit for more detailed
information.
If you have any questions regarding these
obligations please contact the Measurement
and Product Safety Service at the Ministry
of Consumer Affairs on 0508 627 774.
To find out more about the Measurement and
Product Safety Service (MAPSS) at the
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, visit
our
website and click on
‘Measurement’.
Measure for Measure – a documentary film
Measure for Measure, a short documentary
film on the history of the growth of the
metric system was made by the National Film
Unit in 1973. The film is held at Archives
New Zealand, PO Box 12-050, Wellington. Ph:
04 499 5595, Fax: 04 495 6210,
Email:
reference@archives.govt.nz,
www.archives.govt.nz
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