Story: Public service

First public service computer, 1961

This clip from a 1961 newsreel describes the introduction of computerisation to New Zealand's public service. A room-sized IBM 650 computer was installed at the Treasury, mainly to process staff payrolls.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Pictorial Parade 113. National Film Unit, 1961

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Richard Shaw, Public service – Reform, 1912 to 1962, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/33025/first-public-service-computer-1961 (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by Richard Shaw, published 31 May 2012.