Media release

14 December 2016

40th Anniversary of the Metric System celebrated

Metres, kilograms and litres became the New Zealand’s official system of measurement forty years ago today, as Trading Standards celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Metric System in New Zealand.

“Back in 1976, New Zealand adopted the International System of units known as the Metric System and moved away from imperial measurements,” says Manager of Trading Standards Manager Stephen O’Brien.

“Forty years on, the Metric System has become critical to New Zealand’s domestic and international trade with most goods measured by length, weight and volume using this system.

“Measurement and the Metric System support the daily decisions we make as consumers; from the weight of a Christmas pudding, to which box of chocolates represents best value, to knowing the correct quantity of turkey and its corresponding cooking time to serve for Christmas dinner,” says Mr O’Brien

The Trading Standards team at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment oversees New Zealand’s measurement system, ensuring the weights, measurement units, and measurement systems used to make such decisions are accurate and can be relied upon.

The team recently hosted an event in Wellington to showcase exciting discoveries and advancements in the world of ‘measurement’.

“Advancements in the metric system are being used to craft the future of multiple industries and support trade. For something that has been such an integral part of our society in the past 40 years, it will be exciting to see what the next 40 years will hold,” Mr O’Brien says.

[ends]

© Scoop Media