A Conversation for The Big OE - The Travelling Kiwi Phenomenon
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Ben, (hockey nut) Started conversation Apr 6, 2001
You seem to have hit the nail on the head with this one, just one question, do you know when the OE tradition began? before or after air travel?
The big OE
Lonnytunes - Winter Is Here Posted Apr 6, 2001
It has always been a phenomenon - at least since the Second World War.
In the early days Kiwis (and Aussies) travelled to Britain by cruise ship. In the 50s and 60s these cruise ships transported subsidised Pom migrants TO Aus/NZ and the fares FROM Aus/NZ were pretty cheap making a trip to Pomland a realistic goal for young Kiwis and Aussies. The fares were keep cheap to ensure the returning ships weren't empty.
Six weeks of liberated sex and duty-free boose. Great stuff 
By the 80s the cruise ships were unable to compete price-wise (either way) with the airlines and most of the ageing ships were scrapped.
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