Two Ivory Towers

Abstract

Auckland Airport was simple enough in May 1974, and we immediately got residence stamps in our passports. Then we boarded a National Airways Corporation Fokker Friendship for the final hop to Palmerston North. We were too tired to register much of an impression as we were greeted at the tiny airport by Graham Tate, Professor of Computer Science and Head of Department at Massey University. He drove us to a motel that appeared to be constructed out of cardboard. We were beginning to discover the deep belief of most New Zealanders that they live in a warm climate, where solid walls and heating systems are not needed. The reality was that the weather in Palmerston North was cold, wet and windy for half the year, and rarely hot and sunny for more than a few days at a time in summer. May was a depressing time to arrive, as the days were shortening and the weather worsening for winter.