during the 1950s and early 1960s all the tramway systems were replaced by buses or trolleybuses: wanganui (1950), invercargill (1952), christchurch and new plymouth (1954), auckland and dunedin (1956) and wellington (1964). this followed a general international trend, especially in north american and british cities. the traditional tram systems of the period were perceived as a slow and outdated means of transport, characterised by inflexible routes and expensive infrastructure maintenance. in wellington there was significant opposition to the closure of the last tramway system in new zealand, and the final decision to disestablish the remaining lines followed on a public referendum in 1959.