Story perspectives

NZ's 1942 Charity Sausage Sizzle Raised $2 M

5/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Research shows the sausage sizzle began as a charitable fundraiser in New Zealand, not Australia.
The Spinoff traced the earliest charity sausage sizzle to a 1942 Hamilton popular-girl contest hosted by Beryl “Monnie” Menzies.
The contest netted £19,025—over $2 million today—for the National Patriotic Fund during World II.
In 1939, Kaitaia rugby organizers served hot dogs on sliced bread after a bun shortage, predating commercial sliced bread in New Zealand.

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Story summary

Research shows the sausage sizzle began as a charitable fundraiser in New Zealand, not Australia.
The Spinoff traced the earliest charity sausage sizzle to a 1942 Hamilton popular-girl contest hosted by Beryl “Monnie” Menzies.
The contest netted £19,025—over $2 million today—for the National Patriotic Fund during World II.
In 1939, Kaitaia rugby organizers served hot dogs on sliced bread after a bun shortage, predating commercial sliced bread in New Zealand.