Contraception

Date: 16 Nov 1999

From: Women's Studies Association feminist oral history project

By: Roberts, Heather Richenda, 1946-

Reference: OHInt-0556-09

Description: Heather Roberts was born in Hobart, Australia in 1946. Describes parents, early life, quaker education, living on a mission station, and academic achievement. Talks about attitudes to men, sex and marriage. Describes teaching under the grammar/comprehensive schooling system in England. Talks about returning to New Zealand, completing a Masters degree in English Literature, teacher's college and being awarded a scholarship to complete her doctorate. Describes pregnancy and motherhood, and her decision to work as the Women's Employment Officer at Department of Labour in Wellington rather than taking an academic position. Talks about involvement in feminist associations such as the Women's Studies Association and the Family Planning Association and being Secretary to the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW). Mentions ten months travel with her parents near London. Discusses being awarded the McCarthy Fellowship, researching New Zealand women writers and writing the book 'Where did she come from?'. Describes fourteen year career as public servant and policy positions in Department of Social Welfare and then Youth Affairs. Describes work as Barnardo's national advisor on supervised access, while teaching English as a second language. Talks about editing Jean Devanny's 'The butcher's shop', writing for a general audience and co-editing an anthology of women's writing 'A woman's life'. Mentions interest in literary criticism. Discusses quakerism's espousing of equality of the sexes. Discusses her mother as a role model. Describes early involvement in fertility control issues while working as a volunteer at Family Planning. Mentions influential feminist writers, living in communal housing, her family and feminism, compromising as a feminist and valuing friendships. Talks about 30 year relationship with husband and raising a son. Recalls the gains feminism has made for women, and fertility control in particular. Talks about feminism's inability to prevent violence towards women, yet comments on the achievement of the Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) making it possible for women to leave abusive relationships. Talks about the current Women's Studies Association. Mentions current project in Vietnam with Voluntary Services Abroad (VSA) with Vietnamese teachers of English. Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail Accompanying material - CV, Biographical information, two photos Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 2.20 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2657, OHDL-001006. Photo (coloured) - head and shoulder mid-shot, 1999. Photo (B & W) - head and shoulder mid shot, 1966

Date: 24 Mar 1993

From: Family Planning Association oral history project

By: Berry, June, 1931-; Smyth, Helen, 1964-

Reference: OHInt-0566-02

Description: June Berry born 1931 in Canterbury. Mentions growing up in rural Canterbury, and boarding school in Christchurch. Talks about how she came to be involved in Family Planning in 1981 in New Plymouth. Explains the circumstances leading to her neighbour, Leslie Jones establishing Family Planning in New Plymouth. Talks about enjoying her role as front person providing a safe place for women to talk about their problems, and being assured of strict confidentiality. Talks about a non-judgemental atmosphere, where the clinic will help them solve their problems as best they can. Explains the growth in their client base, and talks about women who phoned when they had been to their doctor yet remained unsure of what they were supposed to do. Describes the most significant law change during her involvement, which allowed women under 16 years access to the contraceptive pill. Talks about prevalence of parents in denial about their children being sexually active, and talks about the satisfaction of not having to turn away young clients. Comments that she sees the clinic as a real lifeline, particularly for teenagers, and perceives that young people now are more sexually active than in her youth. Says that all ages visit the clinic to get cervical smears. Talks about the clinic performing vasectomies since 1993. Mentions that they have few Maori clients and no Maori staff. Interviewer(s) - Helen Smith Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008276a (Side A) Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 30 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available.

Date: 14 May 2000

From: Women's Studies Association feminist oral history project

By: Bunkle, Phillida (Hon), 1944-; Abigail, Jill, 1939?-; Victoria University of Wellington. Department of Women's Studies

Reference: OHInt-0556-01

Description: Phillida Bunkle was born in Cookfield, East Sussex, in 1944. Comments that both sides of family are from the English/Scottish border. Mentions her grandmothers and their attitudes to their roles. Talks about her mother, who was a primary school teacher and taught all her life. Discusses hysterectomy. Describes in depth family history, family attitudes to education, social class, and World War I. Describes the style of mothering she received, and the impact of World War II on her family. Talks about her father. Describes school life and her experiences of sitting examinations. Discusses attitudes towards sexuality and academic achievement. Discusses experiences at Keele University, choosing subjects with oral dissertations. Comments on the sexual politics of the era, mentions barriers to contraception. Describes how experience of these issues led to her interest in women's health and concern at the medical system's monopoly over information. Describes achieving a first class degree, despite stress over final exams, and winning scholarship to Smith College, where she learnt the art of writing. Talks about incorporating wider learning styles into the curriculum at Victoria University's Women's Studies, as a result of her experiences. Describes completing an M.A. in American History at Oxford, and becoming interested in feminism, dietary reform, alternative health, and women's roles. Comments on her role in developing the foundation of what became 'women's history'. Discusses abortion, further study at Harvard and mentions her marriage to Jock Phillips in 1971. Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail Accompanying material - Biographical information form Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-8522 - OHC-8525 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 4 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2649, OHDL-000998.

Date: 15 Feb 1994

From: Convent girls oral history project

By: Pryor, Marilyn Valeria, 1936-2005

Reference: OHInt-0634-12

Description: Interview with Marilyn Pryor, born in Wellington in 1936. Comments that her mother was a lapsed catholic and her father was virtually an athiest so she had no religious influence at home and took herself to mass as a child. Mentions she liked the religious instruction at her catholic schools, was an earnest little girl but did not make friends easily. Discusses her mother's Maori background which she felt was a privilege, but experienced some prejudice at St Mary's College. Comments on prejudice against catholics when she was young, and reflects that both the ecumenical movement and Vatican II were progressive. Outlines leaving school at the end of the 5th form because of family financial circumstances and continuing her education at night school. Reflects that her education at catholic schools gave her a highly developed sense of social justice and appreciation of good literature and music. Comments on catholic guilt and the feeling that one could do more for people. Talks about her work in the pro-life movement, and discusses sexual abstinence before marriage, the negative impact of the pill, abortion, and natural family planning. Mentions that she still has a strong faith and attends mass regularly, but none of her children still attend church. Interviewer(s) - Jane Tolerton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010482 - OHC-010483 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 1 folder(s) (agreement form and personal information sheet only). 1 interview(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual file - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHDL-000298 Abstract Available - other folder OHA-3596. Search dates: 1936 - 1994

Date: 27 March 1999

By: Barrie, Ann Maree, 1947-; Herbert, Agnes Eva, 1922-

Reference: OHColl-1561-01

Description: An interview with Agnes (Bobby) Herbert, conducted by her daughter, Ann Barrie. Agnes discusses growing up in South Dunedin. Speaks about family members, religion, schooling, employment history, marriage, childbirth and social activities. Title supplied by Library. Related to the Bobby Herbet's diaries at MS-Group-1313. Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 Interview(s). 1 printed abstract(s). Search dates: 1999

Date: 2000

By: Waerea, James, 1940-2019; NZ Truth (Newspaper)

Reference: H-617-001/035

Description: Topics include New Zealand government and politics, the attempted coup in Fiji, smoking, preservation of the environment, marae protocol and women speakers, the Mark Todd cocaine allegation, youth sex and contraceptives, the Dover Samuel affair, All Black strategy, overworked young hospital doctors, Jim Anderton's proposal for a 'Peoples' Bank', the prowess of All Black Jonah Lomu, the relationship of the New Zealand Labour and Alliance Parties in the Coalition, aborigines and the Sydney Olympics, the Reserve Bank, emigration from New Zealand, marijuana use, halloween, David Tua's attempt at the World Heavyweight championship, petrol pricing, the proposal for a common currency between New Zealand and Australia. Quantity: 35 photocopy/ies cartoon .. Physical Description: A4 horizontal photocopies

Date: 1980

By: Bromhead, Peter, 1933-; Auckland star (Newspaper)

Reference: A-336-002

Description: A manager at the Acme Pill Company is addressing one of his male employees, who has breasts, asking him not to show so much cleavage. This cartoon was published along side an article about a male employee of a company in London that made contraceptive pills who developed breasts after absorbing female hormones. Extended Title - Manager. Acme Pill Co. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Black ink and whiteout on card 290 x 180 mm Provenance: Donated by the artist in 1997. Transfers: Negatives at PA Collection 5371 Bromhead Collection.

Date: 21 Oct 1992

From: Royal New Zealand Plunket Society Oral History Project

By: Thorpe, Joyce Elaine, 1917-

Reference: OHInt-0314/14

Description: Gives details of her family background, childhood days and schooling in Hataitai in the 1920s.Talks about the family's social life, the church in family life, Sunday School picnics and Hataitai as a new suburb in the 1920s and 1930s. Recalls the effects of the Depresssion, high school at Wellington East Girls' College, Commercial School (College), teenage social life and World War II. Comments on the effect of the presence of American servicemen during World War II. Talks about working for a film distribution company and the Wellington Automobile Association. Describes meeting `husband to be' Jack Thorpe, their six year courtship, his unavailability for military service during World War II for health reasons, the effect of this on him, and treatment for his tuberculosis at a Christchurch sanatorium. Mentions marrying Jack, the birth of Bill and first contact with Plunket. Talks about her interest in natural childbirth and the techniques of Grantly Dick-Read, the loss of a baby during pregnancy and her eventual family of eight children. Describes their move to Gisborne where her husband established the Columbine Hosiery factory along the lines of a `garden factory' with his two brothers. Talks about becoming pregnant at the age of forty-seven and her attitudes to contraception. Describes joining the Plunket Committee, fund-raising events, the Stamp Out Measles Campaign, local sub-branch issues, being President of the Gisborne branch for four years and the attitude of Maori women to Plunket. Comments on Neil Begg, David Geddis and Plunket Society national presidents including Joy Reid and Pat Seymour. Venue - Gisborne : 1992 Interviewer(s) - Jim Sullivan Venue - Gisborne Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004831; OHC-004832; OHC-004833 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 878. Colour portrait photograph of Joyce Thorpe in 1992

Date: 9 Jan 1986-16 Jan 1987 - 09 Jan 1986 - 16 Jan 1987

From: Nelson and Golden Bay Oral History Project

By: Richards, Myrtle Eugenie, 1900-1995

Reference: OHInt-0053/25

Description: Myrtle Richards was born on 6 January 1900. Describes her family background and early life in Nelson and how her family coped after her father left. Talks about working in a surveyor's office, meeting and marrying Edwin Richards and settling in Paturau. Describes her trousseau, getting married, pregnancy, birth, Granny Wigzell's nursing home at Collingwood, contraception, child-rearing and domestic routines. Talks about the Paturau School, the Paturau hall and local identities. Describes running the Paturau Post Office and providing accommodation for visitors to the Taitapu estate. Recalls the difficulties of transport in Golden Bay before World War II and the impact of the car. Mentions the Home Guard based at Paturau Hall, farm accidents, earthquakes and floods. Comments on the effects of isolation on women's health, lack of financial independence for women, work gender roles, social class, employment, domestic work, educational opportunites for women, family relationships and alcohol. Venue - Collingwood : 1987 Interviewer(s) - Rosie Little Venue - Mrs Richards' home at Paturau Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-003065; OHC-003066; OHC-003067; OHC-003068; OHC-003069; OHC-003070 Quantity: 6 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 6 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 589.

Date: 9 Jun 2001 - 09 Jun 2001

From: Otaki Citizens Advice Bureau oral history project

By: Thorpe, Agnes Anne, 1939-

Reference: OHInt-0579-07

Description: Anne Thorpe born Invercargill 1939. Outlines family background - father Ngati Kahungunu - mother, Helen Porteous Humphries (nee Potts), a librarian in Otaki. Recalls childhood; father's war service and move to Otaki after the war; work with Bank of New Zealand and later Knox and Avery (Accountants); marriage to Hugh Thorpe and birth of children. Gives background to attending university and gaining a Diploma in Social work. Talks about involvement with Birthright. Recalls the introduction of DPB (Domestic Purposes Benefit). Discusses awareness of feminism, attendance at United Womens Convention in Wellington 1975 and the introduction of the [contraceptive] Pill. Recalls being involved in the setting up of Otaki Citizens Advice Bureau in 1980 and describes process of getting Bureau underway. Mentions early volunteers: Deirdre Brockett, Robin Gardiner, Daphne Meyer, Betty Empson, Doug Olsen and Dulcie Jorey who established the Budgeting Service. Mentions opposition to CAB. Talks about involvement in Prisoners' Aid work and chairing Foster Care panel. Refers to work at Horowhenua Learning Centre and STEPS programme. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-08834-008835 ; OHLC-004477-004478 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2733, OHDL-000996.

Date: 5 -6 February 2000

From: CORSO 50th anniversary oral history project

By: L'Estrange, John Michael, 1942-2000

Reference: OHInt-0504/13

Description: John Michael L'Estrange born India 1942, of parents in exile from Burma. Gives some family background - father who was in British Burmese Army organised exodus of people of 'mixed blood' to India after Japanese occupation. Recalls returning to Burma after the war and attending Montessori school between 1945 and 1949 when family left Burma. Talks about education at St Benedicts in Auckland, Marist, Vermont Street and gaining a scholarship to Sacred Heart College. Discusses decision to enter Seminary, starting at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel for theology and later continuing studies in Rome where he was exposed to great ideas during Vatican II. Mentions discussions on celibacy, contraception etc. Recalls being sent as a priest to Huntly and talks about the difference between keeping tradition intact and adapting tradition to new needs. Mentions relationship of Catholic Church at that time with indigenous people. Refers to Pope John Paul who brought intellectual innovations to the Church but also brought in some conservative elements in terms of morality. Describes three years at Loretto Hall [Catholic teacher training college] lecturing in theology. Backgrounds decision to leave the priesthood and recalls obtaining a job with NZSCM (New Zealand Student Christian Movement) with aim to develop critical christian thinking on various aspects of life. Talks about involvement with CORSO as Chairperson. Refers to Toby Truell, Trevor Richards (working for HART), Kevin Clark and Jim Kebbell. Refers to the `Seven Sisters' [multinational companies]. Refers to Paper `Christian Attitudes towards work'. Mentions ACORD - group of Pakeha graduates and the setting up of [NPR] New Perspectives in Race, whose purpose was to run workshops. Refers to Titewhai Harawira. Also refers to UTCR [Urban Training to Combat Racism]. Recalls that out of New Perspectives on Race grew the Churches' Programme on Racism run by Bob Scott. Discusses the critical thinking of CORSO and reaction against it. Mentions World Vision and TEAR. Mentions visit of Rex Rumakiek [from Vanuatu]. Mentions Ross Stevens. Recalls that all organisations were involved in Anti-Vietnam War, Anti-Nuclear, and Anti-Racism. Other work experience includes: working with Trade Union Training Board; 1988 doing mediation work for the Tenancy Bond Division of Housing Corporation; running taxi business combined with child care of own children and job as Principal Tenancy Mediator in Tenancy Board Division. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Cecily McNeill Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-011203-011206 ; OHC-005490-005493 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 4 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3918. Search dates: 05/02/2000 - 06/02/2000 Processing information: Description updated 26 September 2023 following information provided by a staff member, as part of reparative description work.

Date: 7-8 Feb 1992 - 07 Feb 1992

From: Mothers and daughters oral history project

By: Pendray, Gwitha, 1925-

Reference: OHInt-0323/05

Description: Gwitha Pendray born Waipukurau 1925. Recalls a happy childhood, good attitude of parents, nursing training and circumstances leading to birth of daughter at St Mary's, Auckland. Refers to lack of contraceptives. Describes difficulties encountered trying to manage work while caring for daughter and recalls sending her as a boarder to Friends School Wanganui. Describes daughter's life and notes they became closer after daughter's marriage. Talks about attitudes towards mothers who stay at home to care for their children and notes they are as worthy of respect and admiration as the woman making a career, both requiring skill and concentration. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Alison Gray Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010339 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3500.

Date: 29 Sep 1993

From: Convent girls oral history project

By: Hobbs, Marian Leslie (Hon), 1947-

Reference: OHInt-0634/01

Description: Marian Hobbs outlines catholic background and recalls her education in a catholic convent boarding school run by Dominican nuns. Talks about discipline, training in leadership skills, debating skills, religious beliefs, lack of sex education, contraception, nuns as teachers and general education. Mentions Sadie Bellkind, an inspector of schools and Sr Elizabeth. Discusses attitudes to Irish Catholics in Christchurch. Talks about life at university, changes to her beliefs, involvement in the Communist Party and contact with Quakers. Interviewer(s) - Jane Tolerton Venue - Avondale Girls' High School Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010472-010473 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. 115 kilobyte(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3591, OHDL-000287.

Date: [1970-1984?]

From: Kennedy, Ronald Edwin, 1925-2003 :[Original cartoons, albums of clippings and a metal printing plate, created by and belonging to Ronald Kennedy (Ronken), ca 1967-1983]

Reference: A-456-144

Description: Cartoon by Ronald Edwin Kennedy depicting a woman with the top of a nasal spray inserted in one nostril. Title caption reads "Nasal contraceptive to replace pill - News". Caption to side reads "It works by making the lady unattractive". Printed number bottom left reads "GE 656". Probably refers to new contraceptives that could be taken by men as a nasal spray. Title supplied by cartoonist Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Black felt pen drawing within printed Ronken frame, 210 x 242mm.

Date: 1981-1987

From: Women's National Abortion Action Campaign : Records

Reference: MS-Papers-12787-05

Description: Folder contains correspondence received and written by Women's National Abortion Action Campaign between 1981 and 1987. Includes material relating to abortion services, contraception education in schools and complaints regarding a contraception leafletting campaign. Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: Arrived at Library in a file box labelled "WONAAC correspondence sorted by decade 1970s-2009". Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1985

By: Women's National Abortion Action Campaign (N.Z.)

Reference: Eph-D-ABORTION-1985-01

Description: Shows an illustration of five stages of a smiling penis putting on a condom. Dated from similar wording on a WONAAC pamphlet dated 1985. A poster with similar wording but not metioning aids was previously published ca 1981 (see Eph-C-WONAAC-1981) Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph on poster, 635 x 440 mm. Provenance: Purchased in 2006.

Date: 1987-1988

From: Courtney, Helen Kathleen, 1952- :[One hundred and fifty seven cartoons on social, feminist and political issues in New Zealand, ca. 1975-1990.]

By: Broadsheet (Auckland, N.Z.)

Reference: A-368-076/089

Description: Cartoons on social, feminist and political issues in New Zealand by Helen Kathleen Courtney. Quantity: 15 original cartoon(s) 12 ink drawings, 3 magazine clippings of cartoons. Physical Description: Pen and ink drawings, and magazine clippings, sizes vary.

Date: 2000

By: Fletcher, David, 1952-

Reference: A-341-186/218

Description: 33 strip cartoons, set in a school context, commenting on general social and political issues by David Fletcher. Topics include honorifics, pokemon, bank charges, Jim Anderton's proposal for a 'Peoples' Bank', the Dover Samuels affair, contraception, health reforms, the falling New Zealand dollar, political party polls, political demonstrations by members of the Green Party, the use of the word 'holocaust' in a Maori context by Turiana Turia and Sandra Lee, leadership of the National Party, morale of the Labour Party, youth crime rates, electricity charges. Quantity: 33 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Coloured felt tip pen on card, 102 x 309 mm

Date: 1974-1977

By: United Women's Convention

Reference: MS-Group-0236

Description: The records of the 1975 and 1977 United Women's Conventions held here include minutes of planning meetings, correspondence, mailing lists, publicity material, reports and related material from conference workshops, registration forms, mailing lists, newspaper clippings and papers of organisations represented at the Conventions. The guest speaker at the 1975 Convention held in Wellington was Dr Margaret Mead, the American anthropologist. United Women's Conventions were held in Wellington in 1975 and Christchurch in 1977. Quantity: 27 folder(s). 8 box(es). 3.30 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescripts, printed matter, photographs, and tapes (some photocopies) Finding Aids: Inventory available for MS-Papers-1636. Processing information: Accession (76-230) has not yet been integrated with the earlier papers (MS-Papers-1636)

Date: 1983-1984

From: Waring, Marilyn Joy, 1952- : Collection

Reference: 84-131-58/06

Description: Includes correspondence with Knights of the Southern Cross (national body of Catholic laymen), 1984 Quantity: 1 folder(s).