1970's NZ payphone - Documentation or reference photos wanted

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droc

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#324785 26-May-2026 09:15

I have recently procured a classic 1970's coin operated payphone.

It essentially in working order, but I am keen to give it a tidy up, it has a few missing screws and such. I had a lock locksmith make a set of keys, I replaced the line coming out of the phone, I have it connected to a analog to VOIP box.

I am now looking for documentation, I have found a manual for an "Easiphone" which is close but not the same. I have a NZ post office field guide (18 pages), but keen for more detailed history and documentation.

My phone is missing the "cash box" part on the bottom. I am keen to get photos and other reference on the coin box, with a possible plan to make a coin box.

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#3495445 26-May-2026 09:20

Maybe contact Ferrymead?

they have a post and telegraph society….

wellygary

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#3495448 26-May-2026 09:31

"I have recently procured a classic 1970's coin operated payphone."

Ahh, the device that taught every school boy how Swedish pulse dialling worked...

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#3495449 26-May-2026 09:37

I could tap those phones for free calls oh the memories

Bung

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#3495451 26-May-2026 09:52

By late 1970s the switchhook had a capacitor added to slow down the pulse rate so it was too slow to dial with. In a SxS exchange the sound of a phone box being tapped was so obvious any bored tech could just knock the call off.

wellygary

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#3495452 26-May-2026 09:56

Bung:

By late 1970s the switchhook had a capacitor added to slow down the pulse rate so it was too slow to dial with. In a SxS exchange the sound of a phone box being tapped was so obvious any bored tech could just knock the call off.

They must have been slow to get round to the one we had at school, cause it was wide open to free calls,

Goosey

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#3495453 26-May-2026 10:00

Goosey:

Maybe contact Ferrymead?

they have a post and telegraph society….

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1436894626608163/

https://www.ferrymead.org.nz/societies

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gzt

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#3495455 26-May-2026 10:08

Motat in Auckland has a excellent telecoms room. Motat also has a library. I imagine they keep a few tech manuals in there somewhere.

nztim

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#3495461 26-May-2026 10:39

Linux:

I could tap those phones for free calls oh the memories

When I was 11 years old living in Hamilton I had a touch tone pocket dialer, to call grandma for free who was in Auckland, All I had to hold it up to the Mic

Newer payphones blocked the mic until the call was paid for

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

trig42

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#3495711 27-May-2026 10:04

wellygary:

Bung:

By late 1970s the switchhook had a capacitor added to slow down the pulse rate so it was too slow to dial with. In a SxS exchange the sound of a phone box being tapped was so obvious any bored tech could just knock the call off.

They must have been slow to get round to the one we had at school, cause it was wide open to free calls,

same at our school. We had one of those and there were no issues tapping it. I left school in 1990 and it was still there then.

We also had 'normal' phones so there was no real need to tap it, but it was a 'skill' that had to be learned in a boys boarding school :)

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#3495713 27-May-2026 10:12

I also have fond(?) memories of phones like this at boarding school in the 80s, which makes me wonder if you have a collection of 2c coins to go with it :)

wellygary

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#3495724 27-May-2026 10:40

Brumfondl:

I also have fond(?) memories of phones like this at boarding school in the 80s, which makes me wonder if you have a collection of 2c coins to go with it :)

Still reasonably easy to get hold of thou....

NEW ZEALAND TWO CENT COINS 1 KG UNSORTED AVERAGE OR BETTER CONDITION Carousel 1

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/antiques-collectables/coins/new-zealand-decimal/bronze-copper/listing/5954155425

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#3495916 27-May-2026 17:00

Mabey try faraday museum in Napier ? They have some old phones there , best attraction in the bay

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#3496000 27-May-2026 21:09

TATATM also have working telephone exchanges of various ages, and might have something.

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#3496345 28-May-2026 21:38

Bung:

By late 1970s the switchhook had a capacitor added to slow down the pulse rate so it was too slow to dial with. In a SxS exchange the sound of a phone box being tapped was so obvious any bored tech could just knock the call off.

We would plug the Butt into the uniselector and tell the perp we were watching them, which was the case with a couple of the phone boxes.

Otherwise the group selector developed a mysterious drop-out. Not many tappers succeeded getting through where I worked.

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#3496346 28-May-2026 21:41

I have two complete examples of these in storage. I'll try to find time to dig them out to get some photos for you.

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