Stepparents

Date: 24 Aug 1988

From: Housing Corporation of New Zealand oral history project

By: Bateman, Clarence Thomas, 1912-1996; Bateman, Jean Ysobelle, 1918-1991

Reference: OHInt-0185/12

Description: Clarence Bateman was born at Totara Flat near Greymouth in 1912. Describes how his father remarried after his mother's death and he lived for two or three years at the Glendinning Home in Andersons Bay, Dunedin. Recalls that his father was in and out of work. Describes the family's move to Christchurch when his father remarried and Clarence Bateman's involvement in helping bring up the family. Describes doing well at school. Talks about his first job at the Aulsebrooks biscuit and sweet factory. Talks about his family's move to the Waitaki Hydro Scheme village where he and his father got jobs. Describes involvement in local sport, living in the single men's huts and meeting Jean Dakers. Describes the single men being put off during the Depression, returning to Christchurch and marrying Jean. Jean Bateman (nee Dakers) was born and spent her early years at Crown Terrace near Arrowtown and Frankton. Talks about the role of music in her family and her father's (John Dakers) writing. Notes that he had poems published in the Otago Daily Times. Describes the family's move to the Waitaki Hydro Scheme village about 1925. Recalls meeting and later marrying Clarence Bateman. Describes a number of places they lived in Christchurch during the Depression. Talks about Clarence Bateman's work with C.S. Lunnery. Recalls balloting for the house at 24 Beanland Ave (originally 24 McCombs Street) which was the second state house to be occupied in Christchurch. Notes that they were the first tenants of this house. Comments that when they arrived there were no neighbours, streets, footpaths, fences, carpets, blinds or curtains. Describes the opening of the house which was attended by M.J. (Micky) Savage and many MPs. Describes the house as well built in brick with a concrete tiled roof and wooden window frames. Notes that the rent was high but the house was well built. Describes regular visits by State Advances inspectors. Talks about house maintenance, purchasing the house in 1950 under the scheme which allowed tenants to capitalise their family benefit and buy their state house, and their occupation of the house for fifty years. Describes Jean Bateman's activities which include voluntary work at the Spreydon Public Library, membership of a choir and the Townswomen's Guild. Venue - Christchurch : 1988 Interviewer(s) - Susan Fowke Venue - Clarence & Jean Bateman's home at Christchurch Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002242; OHC-002243 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 413. Photo of Clarence and Jean Bateman and their home about 1980; photo of their home about 1950

Date: 14 Mar 2000

From: Women's Studies Association feminist oral history project

By: Julian, Rae Scott, 1941-

Reference: OHInt-0556-06

Description: Rae Julian was born in Marton in 1941. Describes her Maori grandmother's relationship with her children after marriage separation. Talks about her father, school experiences, and stereotypical messages about being a girl. Describes Canterbury University years and Teachers College. Discusses marriage to Robin Julian in 1963, teaching, a year in London, and having children. Describes life as a young mother in Feilding, and moving to Wellington in 1972 where her interest in women's issues developed. Discusses involvement with the Society for Research on Women (SROW). Discusses research as J R MacKenzie Fellow. Talks about International Women's Year, 1975, and Women's Electoral Lobby. Comments on work at Labour Research Unit with Rosslyn Noonan and Judith Aitken. Describes her leadership role in several organisations. Talks about becoming Human Rights Commissioner 1987-1992, and its associated challenges and achievements, including banning corporal punishment in schools, equal employment opportunity issues, and campaigning for a Children's Commissioner. Describes subsequent work for United Nations in Cambodia 1992-1993 and a position as Volunteer Service Abroad Field Representative position in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Describes work as Canada's Fund Co-ordinator in Pacific Islands. Reflects on the women's movement influences, including Phillida Bunkle and other important writers. Discussed influence of feminism on her life, feminist compromises in working life, Maori women's issues and feminism's gains for women. Comments on her current feminist interests including grassroots issues such as access to abortion and women living with violence. Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail Accompanying material - Biographical information, curriculum vitae. Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 C62 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2654, OHDL-001003. Photocopies of 2 photos: portrait 1974 and group shot late 1990's

Date: 25 Feb 2000

From: Government House oral history project Stage II

By: Walker, Joseph James, 1941-2009

Reference: OHInt-0642/2

Description: Joe Walker was born in Opunake in 1941. Describes being brought up by his mother and grandfather until his mother remarried Hector Walker from Rotoma, Fiji. Mentions his birth father. Talks about his brother, three sisters and a half brother. Describes education at Opunake Primary and High Schools. Recalls enjoying academic work and sport. Talks about becoming Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) in the school cadets. Describes links with Te Atiawa and Ngati Ruahine. Explains an awakening to being Maori while in the Army. Mentions have done Maori language at Victoria University, joining the hikoi and studying the Treaty of Waitangi with Donna Awatere. Mentions he was responsible for programmes including Maori at APEC. Describes joining the Army and explains his progression through the ranks. Discusses becoming professional, becoming a leader and learning to take risks. Discusses fighting in Vietnam and attitudes to Vietnamese veterans. Mentions marrying Patsy McGowan in 1963 and her support of his life in the Army. Mentions he was Brigadier Commander at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. Mentions his association with the SAS and describes studying counter terrorism in Great Britain. Discusses resigning from the military in 1990 after thirty years' service. Describes his appointment as Comptroller of Government House in 1990. Mentions organising the changeover from Sir Paul Reeves as Governor General to Dame Catherine Tizard. Discusses the preparation of a five year plan for the Governor General. Discusses changing the culture of the role of Governor General from British to New Zealand and the need for the role to be simple and relevant to New Zealand while maintaining quality. Describes Sir Paul and Lady Reeves and functions held for the Maori community. Comments on the informal tone of Dame Catherine Tizard while maintaining her position as representative of the head of state. Describes how he put New Zealand art on the walls. Describes the position of Comptroller as Operations Manager with the Chief Secretary's position that of the Chief Executive. Mentions Ken Richardson. Discusses the relationship between the military and the Governor-General and the role of the aides de camp. Mentions that Government House had come under the the Department of Internal Affairs but now comes under the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Mentions an organisational review which structured out the office of Comptroller. Discusses the Royal Family and a number of overseas visitors including the Queen of the Netherlands, King of Malaysia, Sultans of Bahrain, Iraq and Brunei, Presidents of Croatia, Chile, Ireland and Germany and President Mandela. Mentions the Queen's visit in 1995 and the CHOGM meeting. Discusses the relationship of the Governor-General and Jim Bolger . Mentions a security review at Government House and redevelopment of the gardens. Talks about the 25th anniversary of Robert Sisson Stretch as butler. Describes seeing Sir Michael Hardie Boys into office as Governor-General before leaving the job. Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 4 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3409.

Date: 23 Feb 1989

From: Housing Corporation of New Zealand oral history project

By: Reid, Colin Andrew, 1925-

Reference: OHInt-0185/14

Description: Colin Reid was born in Dunedin in 1925. Describes how his mother died when he was six and his father died when he was thirteen. Talks about growing up in St Kilda and education at St Clair Primary and Kings High School. Describes many responsibilities at home and little time for sport, reading or music. Recalls a series of housekeepers and the care of his stepmother and other relatives after his father died. Recalls James K Baxter at high school and his unwillingness to be involved with school cadets. Talks about religion. Describes becoming a cadet with Lands and Survey in 1943. Discusses acceptance by the RNZAF during World War II and being a navigator on planes in the Pacific in the Flying Boat Squadron number 5. Describes working at Lands and Deeds after the war, joining the Housing Division of the Ministry of Works and working in Palmerston North. Recalls the Director of the Housing Division, Reg Hammond. Discusses the responsibilities and functions of the Housing Division of the Ministry of Works. Talks about planning work for subdivisions and setting up the infrastructure of sewage and water for Porirua. Discusses sorting out legal issues for the sale of state houses and the effects of the Town and Country Planning Act on the Housing Division. Comments on the group housing scheme and hardening of public attitudes to state housing, partly as a result of social problems in some areas. Argues that state housing brought in good design and the requirement to use New Zealand materials. Recalls the work of the architect Plischke and chief planner Ian Dudding. Describes higher density housing as a reaction to urban sprawl. Comments on subdivisions in Palmerston North, New Plymouth and Napier. Describes `pepper potting' as the placement of state housing within a suburb. Mentions the Race Relations Act. Explains the housing allocation process which resulted in ethnic groupings within blocks of flats. Describes mass earthworks as the result of the advent of new machinery. Notes that state housing was a political issue and mentions Don Borrie and Rev Charles Waldegrave. Describes the positions he held culminating in Assistant Director General of the Housing Corporation. Comments on the formation of the Housing Corporation from the Housing Division of the Ministry of Works and State Advances Corporation in 1974. Describes being a member of the National Housing Commission from 1975 to 1984. Discusses the first Director-General of the Housing Corporation, Ted Babe and his successor Hec King. Comments on Hec King's death. Talks about Minister of Housing Bill Fraser. Discusses the change in political climate and the diminished working relationships between politicians and senior civil servants by the time of his retirement in 1984. Venue - Wellington : 1989 Interviewer(s) - Susan Fowke Venue - At Colin Reid's home at Crofton Downs, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002250; OHC-002251; OHC-002252; OHC-002253 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 416.