Drinking Straws

item details

NameDrinking Straws

ProductionMono Containers (N.Z.) Ltd; manufacturer(s); 1960s; New Zealand

Classificationstraws, packaging

Materialsplastic, paper, ink

Dimensions100mm, 270mm, 100mm

Registration NumberGH022162

Credit lineGift of Mrs J. R. Smart, 2012

Overview

Not just a box of drinking straws

This box of straws came from the Coca Cola Bottlers in Petone where Raphael McKenna (née Smart) worked as a Personal Assistant to the General Manager in the mid 1960s. One of the other Smart daughters, Teresa, also worked at the factory in the school holidays.

The factory produced lots of merchandise for promotions, the straws being one and they also produced pencils, rulers and drink coolers. Staff were given lots of promotional items and also could drink as much Fanta and Coca Cola as they wanted.

Coca Cola was a big employer in the area as well as being involved in the community. Raphael remembers the big Coca Cola dances in the Wellington Town Hall with all the big bands of the day including the Librettos and the Skyrockets.