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Kōrero: Roller skating and skateboarding

Champion figure skater Valerie White, 1955

Video file

In 1955, 15-year old Valerie White of Napier headed to Barcelona, Spain, to represent New Zealand at the international roller skating championships. This was the first year New Zealand roller skaters had competed internationally. Watch Valerie as she glides around a rink in front of a crowd, including her adoring mother and grandmother, at Napier's Marine Parade in her home town. 

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Pictorial Parade 38. National Film Unit, 1955

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

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Kerryn Pollock, Roller skating and skateboarding – Roller skating, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/video/39803/champion-figure-skater-valerie-white-1955 (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Kerryn Pollock, i tāngia i te 30 November 2012.