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Story: English

The half-gallon quarter-acre pavlova paradise

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The half-gallon quarter-acre pavlova paradise

Yorkshireman Austin Mitchell emigrated to New Zealand and taught history and politics at Otago and Canterbury universities before becoming well known as a television broadcaster. In 1972, after his return to the UK, he published this best-selling commentary on New Zealand. It took the form of advice to a prospective English immigrant to New Zealand. Thirty years later, as a British Labour MP, Mitchell returned to New Zealand where he filmed a television series and published a follow-up, Pavlova paradise revisited.

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Penguin New Zealand

Reference: Austin Mitchell, The half-gallon quarter-acre pavlova paradise. Christchurch: Whitcombe & Tombs, 1972.

by Les Gibbard

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How to cite this page

Terry Hearn, English – Contribution to government, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/1997/the-half-gallon-quarter-acre-pavlova-paradise (accessed 6 June 2026).

Story by Terry Hearn, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 August 2024.