Dr Oliver Hartwich: Memory is a terrible statistician

Nostalgia is a wonderful state of mind but, almost by definition, it glorifies the past while ignoring things that were not so good.

Many older New Zealanders are nostalgic for the 1970s. But 1973 saw 843 people die on the roads, the worst road toll on record. Of every 1,000 babies born in 1970, almost 17 died before their first birthday. More than a third of adults smoked. The top income tax rate was 60%, and inflation was about to slip its leash.

Roger Partridge: Taking Comfort from the 1970s

When a story recently emerged about the government getting advice on carless days under the Petroleum Demand Restraint Act, older New Zealanders will have felt a warm flush of nostalgia.

The 1979 restrictions brought coloured windscreen stickers announcing the weekday car owners had promised not to drive. Thursday proved the most popular choice. A thriving black market followed. Forty-three percent of vehicles secured exemptions.

The first person prosecuted under the original scheme was caught driving at 3.45 am – after falling asleep in his car following a party. His designated non-driving period had begun at 2 am.