Interview with Alasdair Shaw

Alasdair Shaw was born near Hastings in 1944. Mentions he is third in the family and his parents had a small orchard. Recalls going to Twyford School, Scots College and Hastings Boys High School. Mentions injuries from playing rugby and shepherding. Describes jobs on a station near Gisborne, at Tomoana Works and Maraetotara. Describes a sheep diploma course at Massey University in 1965 and three months in the army at Waiouru in 1966. Comments on enjoying the discipline in the Army. Mentions his love of rugby and returning to work at his father's orchard. Describes high insurance premiums and hailstorm damage to fruit. Talks about the irrigation system, moisture testing of soil, packing, developing new apples, apple varieties and market changes. Talks about his daughters and ski-ing holidays. Discusses electoral changes and MMP.

Comments on labour shortage on orchards and orcharding costs including costs of bringing in new varieties. Discusses a hearing on submissions about a proposed bridge over the Ngaruroro River and culverts under the motorway by his house. Mentions the role of the Regional Council and Transit New Zealand. Talks about Apple Fields (company), the Apple and Pear Board and overseas markets. Comments on the necessity of such a board.

Interviewer(s) - Pam Lockhart

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2143.

Search dates: 1944 - 1996

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004048 - OHLC-004049