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Date: 05 Apr 2001

From: Women's Studies Association feminist oral history project

By: Ellis, Ellen, 1944-; Women's Studies Association (N.Z.)

Reference: OHInt-0556-02

Description: Ellen Ellis was born in Westport in 1944. Describes family life, her father (a diplomat), and a family posting to Canada in 1949. Recalls returning to Wellington and secondary school. Talks about her mother's health and treatment. Mentions university study. Describes teacher training college, and work at Victoria University Library, Wellington. Discusses sexuality and relationships. Talks about working at Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand Library School, working for Alister Taylor, and the challenges of being a sole parent in full time work. Talks about co-ordinating music for Harry Seresin's The Settlement restaurant, Willis St, Wellington. Talks about the development of her feminist consciousness. Comments on her mother's life. Discusses encounter groups, Bert Potter and Centrepoint. Discusses housing and discriminatory attitudes towards women. Mentions the Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB). Describes Wilderland Commune, Coromandel, New Zealand. Talks about her involvement in the Hecate Women's Health Collective and alternative health groups in Wellington. Describes National Archives work, the feminist librarians' group, teaching on the Women's Studies course, involvement with Women's Studies Association, working as a research consultant, and researching Sandra Coney's book 'Standing in the sunshine'. Talks about TV documentary research on abortion, and various writing projects. Mentions researching Boer War concentration camps. Reflects on feminism in her life, in relationships, housework, emotional equity, and feminist gains. Mentions that child care is still a critical issue. Other - Note: Part of interview was lost. During the recording, a completed tape was reused to record the next part of the interview by mistake. Interviewer(s) - Jill Abigail Accompanying material - CV, photo, biographical information form Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-8522 - OHC-8525 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2650, OHDL-000999.

Date: 27 Nov 2009

From: Mrs Schumacher's gems oral history project - domestic life in New Zealand from the 1940s to the 1960s

By: Stewart, Jocelyn Claire, 1928-

Reference: OHInt-0984-18

Description: Interview with Jocelyn Stewart (nee Smith), born in Auckalnd in 1928. Talks about her family background, and domestic life during her childhood. Mentions to her schooling, and life during World War II including Red Cross training and the death of her father. Refers to making things for her glory box. Discusses meeting her husband Clyde (Snow) Stewart after the War, their marriage, and building their house. Talks about furnishing their house, and wedding presents helping to set up the house. Refers to their vegetable and flower gardens, bottling fruit, and baking. Comments on using the Edmond's recipe book, and collecting recipes in her handwritten recipe book. Mentions eating out occasionally, and making clothes for the children. Refers to laundry facilities. Talks about the births of her children and Plunket visits. Discusss Christmas celebrations, children's birthday parties and holidays. Comments on getting television and a stereo. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001502 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) (abstract, form). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 digital photograph(s). 4 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). 1 interview(s). 1.56 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Textual files - Microsoft word; Image files - Jpeg Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-001479, OHA-7398. Colour photographs of Jocelyn's recipe book and recipes. Scanned B&W photographs of Jocelyn Stewart, Jocelyn with her mother on her wedding day, and the bridal party; Jocelyn and Snow Stewart (OHDL-001480) Search dates: 1928 - 2009

Date: 13 Oct 2009

From: MOTAT 1950s life oral history project

By: Stewart, Clyde Douglas, 1922-2012

Reference: OHInt-1005-03

Description: Interview with Clyde ('Snow') Stewart, born in Wellington in 1922. Recalls the family moving to Auckland and settling in Freemans Bay. Talks about attending Napier Street School, leaving this school during the Depression and attending a succession of primary schools. Comments on studying engineering Seddon Memorial Technical College. Discusses his father having a photography business and being a pioneer of cinematography in New Zealand. Mentions films he worked on including 'Birth of New Zealand' and 'Rewi's last stand'. Mentioned his father did aerial photography and was in the Auckland crew in the Melbourne centenary air race [1934]. Talks about his father beginning a business with Leo White (Stewart and White) and joining the business himself. Mentions the business was closed down during the War and he was called up into the Army. Refers to leaving the Army and assisting his father doing photography for the military. Recalls taking a photograph of the Queen Street victory parade for the crew of HMS Archilles that was published as a full-page image by the 'Freelance' newspaper. Discusses joining Leo White in the public relations section of the Air Force. Talks about setting up darkrooms in the old government buildings in Wellington and making large photographic murals of photographs from the Pacific. Outlines accompanying the Air Force task force in the Pacific as a photographer, doing both ground and aerial photography. Discusses the photographic section's work in Bougainville and air crew taking photographs. Recalls being present at the Japanese surrender in Bougainville and his movie camera breaking down. Comments on seeing the internment of Japanese prisoners afterwards. Discusses meeting his wife Jocelyn, marrying in 1949, and buying a section in Herne Bay. Comments on the difficulty of getting supplies for building a house in the post war years and living in a temporary cabin at the back of the section for a period. Mentions travelling to work by tram and buying a car in 1953. Refers to building dingies, going fishing and spearing flounder in the harbour. Talks about driving to Rotorua for family holidays and staying in a caravan. Mentions being given a washing machine and buying a refrigerator when they were hard to get. Recalls butchers, fish and hardware shops in Queen Street. Talks about joining Leo White in White's Aviation after the war to set up the photographic section. Refers to building an enlarger and aerial cameras using German lenses he had acquired in Rabaul. Describes aircraft that were used, usually a Cessna 172, and chartering them from aero clubs. Recalls using hand-held glass plate and roll film cameras. Explains why aerial photographs were in demand after the Second World War and were sold to property owners. Comments on other photographic work he did. Mentions continuing to work in Whites Aviation after Leo White died and retiring in 1983. Reflects on his father's photographic skills. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) (abstract). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-001733, OHA-7527. Search dates: 2009

Date: 2 Feb 2010 - 02 Feb 2010

From: MOTAT Telecommunications oral history project

By: Robertson, Lynda Gaye, 1958-

Reference: OHInt-1004-06

Description: Interview with Lynda Robertson (nee Fussell), born in Christchurch in 1958. Refers to her father working for the Post Office and the family moving frequently. Comments on working for the Bank of New Zealand when she left school, and getting a job as a telephone toll exchange operator in Christchurch c.1974. Talks about her training, how the switchboard operated, and putting calls through to manual and automatic exchanges. Comments on shift work, swapping shifts, and operators taking 111 calls on the 'doggo shift'. Refers to the role of supervisors. Explains how they would answer a call at the toll exchange, the standard phrases, toll tickets and person to person calls. Describes transfer charge calls and collect calls. Talks about the urgent call service and how the calls would be placed. Describes working in the Auckland exchange for six months when it had partially migrated to subscriber toll dialing. Comments on the equipment used and why operators were still needed after the introduction of subscriber toll dialing. Mentions spending 10 years in Australia and getting a job in directory assistance in Auckland when she returned. Describes the work done there, and spending a period on international directory assistance. Comments on transferring to the toll exchange. Talks about 111 emergency calls and when they would use technicians or the police to trace the calls. Talks about the change from the Post Office to Telecom. Comments on her subsequent career with Telecom in business credit control after the call centre was outsourced to SITEL. Reflects on changes in technology over the years. Accompanying material - Scanned copy of Lynda Fussell's certificate from the Post Office Telephone Exchange Training School (dated 2 December 1975) Accompanying material - Recording of greetings used when answering calls put through a telephone exchange (track 3) Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 3 Electronic document(s) (abstract). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.10 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-001716, OHA-7523. Search dates: 1958 - 2010

Date: 28 Sep 2010

From: MOTAT Photography oral history project

By: Hoggard, Rodney Angus Augustus George, 1926-

Reference: OHInt-1003-02

Description: Interview with Rodney (Rod) Hoggard, born in Grafton, Auckland, in 1926. Outlines his family background, and growing up in Onehunga and and Grey Lynn during the Depression. Talks about his father being a keen amateur photographer who had a quarter plate Klito camera and a darkroom at home. Mentions leaving school when his father died and working as a grocer's delivery boy. Comments on an apprentiship with instrument maker L.T. Hyman (owned by the family of Dove Meyer Robinson). Recalls joining the Air Force when he turned 18, pilot training at Ohakea and Taieri air bases, but not serving overseas. Talks about being a street and beach photographer for Peter Pan Studios in Karangahape Road, using a Leica 3C camera he had bought. Describes how the camera's range finder worked. Recalls developing films after each day's work. Describes joining Emanuel Robinson in a camera business, later coming to own the business and changing the name to Civic Cameras. Explains having difficulties getting supplies for the shop because of the import licensing system. Mentions stocking mostly German cameras and imported the first Asahiflex [later Pentax] cameras. Discusses other cameras he had New Zealand agencies for including Leicaflex and Linhof Technika. Explains why he set up Pacific Cameras as a camera wholesaler. Refers to people who worked there, agencies he had, and manufacturers of film. Comments on brands of colour film and the dye transfer colour printing process. Mentions that his colour photographic prints are fading. Talks about his last professional photography job visiting Niue for the Niue Tourist Board and for the Education Department. Explains ending his involvement in business when he became a Baptist minister. Reflects on his favourite cameras, the Leicaflex and Leica. Accompanying material - Photocopy of: 'The realism is... a biography of Rodney Angus Hoggard' written by Ailsa Hoggard (12 p.; with printed abstract) Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) (abstract). 1 printed abstract(s). 4 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). 2 electronic scan(s) of original colour photographic print(s). 1 interview(s). 1.26 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-001726, OHA-7517. Search dates: 1926 - 2010

Date: 24 Oct 2012

From: Milford oral history project

By: Dunsford, Deborah (Dr), active 2001-2012; Marychurch, Benjiman Cyril, 1930-

Reference: OHInt-1017-04

Description: Interview with Benjiman Cyril Marychurch. Born 1930 in Silverdale. Explains origins of the name Marychurch, and parents' arrival to New Zealand from England, and that his father had worked as a steam engineer on ships travelling between England and New Zealand. Also discusses his father's military service for New Zealand as an ANZAC. Explains that his father won a returned serviceman's ballot for a dairy farm in Coatesville with about a dozen cows. Describes farm work and the family's experiences during the depression. Discusses his family life and his experience of being one of 13 children. Discusses schooling at Coatesville School, and the new school building in 1942. Left school after Standard 2 due to transport problems. Describes difficulty finding apprenticeships at the end of World War Two. Describes long daily journey to apprenticeship in Onehunga. Refers to costs of travel and wages. Describes school picnic at Milford, which included swimming, running races, tug of war, and other activities. Recounts cycling with friends to Beachhaven or Milford, and talks about Pirate Shippe. Compares going to Milford in the 1930s-40s with going to Waiheke Island in 2012. Describes features of the Milford Swimming Pool, and swimming lessons at a creek in Coatesville. Discusses American soldiers that frequented the swimming pool. Describes their uniforms and the soldiers' interactions with children and his father. Mother did not like the war because her eldest son had been killed in action in Egypt in 1940. Tells of his older brother, Roy Marychurch, who had a retail wood and coalyard in Milford. Tells that silent movies shown at Coatesville Hall, and that electricity came to Coatsville in 1937. Describes getting dressed up to go to the movies, and going to city barefoot to buy shoes. Describes working at A & T Burt brass foundry, and learning woodwork. Describes an upholstery apprenticeship, and a farm labouring job near Whangarei. Tells of volunteering for army service in Korea. Describes dairy farming work, cycling and playing rugby. Belonged to the Whangarei Ballroom Dancing Club and Operatic Society, and performed in Whangarei, Warkworth, and Dargaville. Tells of dancing at the Pirate Shippe, and describes decorations, bands, dances, prizes, and supper. Describes heating hot water and giving out food and drinks at dances at Coatesville Hall. Discusses alcohol at dances. Describes his experience in the K-Force in Korea, basic training at Papakura, and taking the Wahine from Wellington. Describes medical examination, and his duties as troop carrier and supplies carrier, and his job as car trimmer. Describes extreme cold of Korea, workshops and living conditions under canvas. Describes going to a dance and meeting his wife, Fumiko Yamamoto. Describes courtship and marriage, and her parents' attitudes to marriage. Describes difficulty for westerners living in Japan, and his parents' attitudes to Fumiko as a daughter-in-law when they returned to New Zealand in 1954. Describes going to dancing at the Pirate Shippe, and dances at Albany Hall and Greenhithe Hall. Discusses closure of the Pirate Shippe and swimming pool. Interviewer(s) - Deborah Dunsford Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 2 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.

Date: 19 Oct 2012

From: Milford oral history project

By: Dunsford, Deborah (Dr), active 2001-2012; Savage, Daphne Joan, 1922-

Reference: OHInt-1017-08

Description: Interview with Daphne Joan Savage (nee Lomas, formerly Sarney). Born in Auckland in 1922. Describes her father's service during World War One and the injuries he sustained as a result, and her mother's work during World War One in England, and her efforts as a suffragette. Mentions that her parents migrated to New Zealand in 1921, and describes her family and home life in Auckland. Describes her schooling at Seddon Memorial College, and learning jujitsu. Also describes her work at the Auckland Hospital Board, eventually becoming the first blood bank technician in Auckland. Describes day trips to Milford or Takapuna beaches, ferry rides to get there. Describes food at Ye Olde Pirate Shippe. Mentions day trips to Waiheke Island, and a boating accident involving two brothers who were part of the jujitsu group. Describes dancing classes in Queen Street, Auckland, and in Remuera. Offers reflections on Milford as an entertainment destination. Interviewer(s) - Deborah Dunsford Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1.19 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.

Date: 22 Jun 2011 - 22 Jul 2011

From: Milford oral history project

By: Dunsford, Deborah (Dr), active 2001-2012; Speedy, Squire Lionel, 1924-

Reference: OHInt-1017-10

Description: Interview with Squire Lionel Speedy, born 23 July 1924 in Takapuna. Explains origins of his name, and provides family history regarding his great grandparents and grandparents, and their experiences emigrating to New Zealand, and stories of the New Zealand wars. Discusses his father's background and schooling (Lionel Speedy), and his fishing technique. Describes his work at A & T Burt Electrical Suppliers and as manager of Victoria Theatre, Devonport, and Symonds Street Lyric Theatre. Discusses his mother's family and life in Takapuna, and his father's work in the theatre business. Explains that the depression years had a big influence on him. Describes those on the dole, and activities to make money. Discusses transportation around Milford and Takapuna, and houses built in the area. Describes childhood summer activities, particularly rugby, swimming, boating, picnics, and golfing. Explains that his father created a syndicate to take shares in and construct the Milford Picturedrome. Describes the construction of the Picturedrome, and the role of the projectionist at the theatre. Describes dancing and drinking of alcohol near the Picturedrome, and people sneaking liquor bottles into the surrounding hedges to hide them. Describes his father's publicity for the Picturedrome, and its popularity during the depression. Recounts stories of the Milford Picturedrome's staff and patrons. Explains that the theatre was eventually destroyed by fire. Discusses Ye Olde Pirate Shippe, and that the success of dances at the Picturedrome lead others to establish the Pirate Shippe. Describes the Milford swimming pool, the beach, and beach clothing. Explains that Milford was an ideal holiday location in the 1930s since husband could commute to work, and wife and kids could continue at Milford. Explains transport options, such as bus and ferry. Discusses sale of Picturedrome and his father's work in real estate, valuation, and running Takapuna Campground. Describes Milford during World War Two, and the 'American invasion' of 1942. Discusses fear of Japanese invasion, and that fear brought the community together. Discusses the demolition of Pirate Shippe and the swimming pool by the Takapuna Borough Council. Reflects on the placement of sewers and sea walls in the town. Interviewer(s) - Deborah Dunsford Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 2.40 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.

Date: 09 Oct 2008

From: New New Zealanders oral history project

By: Locker-Lampson, Anna, active 2001; Fenja, Nigussie Geda, 1977-

Reference: OHInt-1039-02

Description: Interviewer(s) - Anna Locker-Lampson Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s) OHA-7654. 1 interview(s). 2.17 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.

Date: 14 September 2011 - 14 Sep 2011

From: Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) Engineering New Zealand oral history project

By: La Roche, John Charles, 1937-; La Roche, Sue, active 1940s-2011; Robinson, Winsbury James, 1921-

Reference: OHInt-0965-09

Description: Interview with Jim Robinson, conducted 14 September 2011. Interviewee discusses his childhood, education, and his service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the second world war and training as a pilot. The interview also discusses university study, working on a transmission line from Bunnythorpe to Haywards, and working at the Auckland Electric Power Board (AEPB), and various projects, such as the reticulation of Waiheke Island. Also discusses his work for the Fiji Electrical Authority in the early 1970s. Abstracted by - John La Roche Interviewer(s) - John La Roche Interviewer(s) - Sue La Roche Quantity: 1 interview(s). 1 Electronic document(s) Microsoft Word files. 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 digital photograph(s) Jpeg file. 1 printed abstract(s). 1.59 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - Wave files; textual files - Microsoft Word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Search dates: 1900 - 2011 Number of interviews/events: 1

Date: 2 May 2008 - 02 May 2008

From: MAF Biosecurity New Zealand oral history project

By: Small, Fergus MacDuff, 1941-

Reference: OHInt-0975-20

Description: Interview with Fergus Small, born in Point Chevalier in 1941. Talks briefly about his family background, schooling, and his family spending a year in Singapore in 1955 when the British were leaving. Discusses dairy farming after he left school and gaining a diploma in agriculture at Massey. Talks about joining the Department of Agriculture in 1972 as a Port Agriculture Officer in Auckland and his career since then with the Service. Describes initially working at the the new Mangere Airport and at the port. Talks about clearing ships including cargo, passenger and immigrant ships, tramp steamers and blue boats [yachts?], inspecting meat lockers, garbage disposal, and inspecting cargo. Mentions the bag of equipment officers used, and mainly looking for insects. Comments on fumigation of infested material and training as a fumigation operator. Refers to mail inspection. Mentions inspecting aircraft kitchens and air cargo, clearing passengers at the airport and changes in procedures over time. Discusses the development of aircraft disinfection from direct spraying with DDT to residual spraying with long-acting agents. Talks about risk assessment profiles of passengers, and the treatment of VIPs. Describes the 1996 fruit fly incursion and the subsequent introduction of x-rays and beagle detector dogs. Mentions the introduction of amnesty bins in airports. Refers to the development of infringement notices and Infringement Officers to reduce the prosecution workload. Comments on the effect of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak in the United Kingdom on New Zealand quarantine. Refers to moth incursions in Auckland and improvement in systems for handling incidents. Describes pre-clearance of imports offshore, and his own involvement with American grapes, North American apples and New Zealand troops returning from Singapore. Discusses Quarantine involvement with animal and plant imports. Talks about checking export produce at the city markets and issuing phytosanitary certificates. Refers to on-the-job training when he began and the subsequent increase in formal training courses. Comments on receiving forest industry training after the amalgamation of the Service with the Forest Quarantine Service. Talks about the decision made to only employ graduates. Mentions that the main specialised training now is for management positions. Talks about the TV programme Border Patrol which was good for raising awareness. Refers to MAF not having been good at PR and communication, but developing publicity material for Pacific Islands children and radio. Talks about the development of the Quarantine Officer training programme in the Pacific, developing systems for container clearing in Pacific Island countries, and x-ray machines being given to Fiji. Describes relationships with the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service and his role in the joint Operational Working Group. Explains the thinking behind the restructuring of MAF in 1987 which split regulatory and operational functions, and the later amalgamation to form MAF Biosecurity New Zealand. Abstracted by - Erin Flanigan Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Curriculum vitae of Fergus Small, with printed abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001111 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2.54 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7315. Search dates: 1941 - 2008

Date: 1 May 2008 - 01 May 2008

From: MAF Biosecurity New Zealand oral history project

By: Higgins, Gary James, 1948-

Reference: OHInt-0975-14

Description: Interview with Gary Higgins, born in Tauranga in 1948. Refers to his family background, growing up by the sea in Mt Maunganui where his father had a caravan park, and studying marine biology at Auckland University but not completing his degree. Talks about becoming a Port Agricultural Officer in 1974, the work involved in the port in the early days, and manager Les Barber. Describes inspecting passenger and cargo vessels, the operation manual, the bag of tools for inspecting ships, and the radios they used. Mentions checking private yachts, language difficulties, and dealing with animals on vessels. Talks about inspecting incoming produce and vehicles in the early days, and mentions that procedures and permitted imports have changed significantly. Talks about a fruit fly outbreak in Auckland and how it was dealt with. Mentions a painted apple moth outbreak and the controversial aerial spraying used to control it. Refers to the problem of gypsy moth coming in with Japanese cars. Talks about work at the Post Office checking parcels and some interesting finds. Describes spraying ships and aircraft with DDT, and later treatments used on aircraft. Mentions the roster system which meant relearning jobs every few weeks, and becoming a shipping officer in the early 1990s when MAF decided more expertise was needed for the work. Discusses working offshore doing pre-clearance jobs including on cruise ships, and comments on dealing with difficult passengers. Mentions pre-clearance of grapes in Australia and the need to be able to identify common pests. Comments on providing training in the Solomon Islands with Neil Hyde. Discusses working at the airport as a Senior Quarantine Officer with rostered staff. Talks about the difference made by the introduction of containers, difficulties with fumigating and venting them, the system of off wharf inspection and opposition to it. Mentions a snake catching course in Australia and having snake catching kits at all ports. Comments on the TV programme Border Patrol, and the importance of public awareness. Mentions that the Service "didn't really deal with didymo and sea squirt". Refers to checking ballast water on ships and on the Australian service being much stricter. Discusses an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom, visiting there at the time, and the impact of the outbreak on New Zealand. Mentions changes in their relationship with Customs over the years, and the need a close liaison with the drug squad and Customs. Refers to starting a newsletter and collecting MAF uniforms, newletters and other items which were sent to the airport for a possible museum. Recalls colleagues including Julian Brown, Don Possin, Charlie Cooper, and Travis Flint. Reflects on receiving a plaque in 2004 for 30 years service, and on his role as a quarantine officer. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Interviewee's curriculum vitae (3 p.); a form (2 p.); QuarantineWorks Sept-Oct 2002 and April 2007, and Biosecurity issue 82 (Mar. 2008) which contain articles about Gary Higgins). All with the printed abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001101 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2.50 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7309. Search dates: 1948 - 2008

Date: 13 Jun 2008

From: MAF Biosecurity New Zealand oral history project

By: Emery, Nicholas Francis, 1937-

Reference: OHInt-0975-10

Description: Interview with Nick (Nicholas) Emery, born in England in 1937. Refers to his family moving to Kenya after World War II, the Kenyan independence uprising, joining the Army when he left school, then doing farm work until he went to England to study at an agricultural college. Mentions returning to Kenya, marrying in 1961, and emigrating to New Zealand where he worked on a farm near Helensville and then in a sawmill. Comments on the quarantine risk of their household goods when they arrived in the country. Discusses joining the Port Agriculture Service in Auckland in 1963, the work manual and tools he was issued with, and on-the-job training. Mentions training courses he attended, and becoming an instructor later. Comments on inspecting mail at the mail centre and the reasons for searching all parcels from some countries. Talks about meeting cargo ships when they arrived in port, checking ship-board animals, sealing meat lockers, dealing with ship garbage, and inspecting cargo. Refers to inspecting Island trader ships and their produce, particularly for insect pests. Explains how goods from passenger ships were inspected. Refers to inspecting ships with ammunition on board at Kawakawa Bay, and to having trouble inspecting Japanese fishing boats. Discusses the introduction of containers for cargo, their quarantine risk and the need for publicity, and the introduction of off-wharf inspection areas. Refers to giant African snails arriving on the underside of containers from Pacific islands. Talks about fumigation work, gases used, and training. Recalls meeting aircraft, goods and baggage inspection, and spraying in aircraft for insects. Mentions the staff rosters for airport duty and the long hours worked after Mangere airport opened in 1966. Talks about changes to the system for meeting passengers as passenger numbers increased, and dealing with VIPs including diplomats, royalty and the Pope. Refers to learning words of welcome in different languages and the availability of interpreters. Mentions the fruit fly outbreak in Mt Roskill in 1996, the role of airlines in publicising quarantine regulations, and the introduction of beagle sniffer dogs and x-ray machines at airports. Talks about the development of residual disinfection of aircraft as passenger objections to direct spraying increased. Describes inspecting air cargo including animals. Refers to inspecting export produce at the city markets and in pack houses. Reflects on the Service having a very low staff turnover, and to the appointment of Mary Middleton as the first woman on staff in Auckland. Comments on moving into a management position, being rotated between the port and airport and the meetings involved. Mentions restructurings within the Department, Ministry and Service during his career. Recalls spending time in Tonga helping set up a training system for quarantine, a visit to Niue, and contact with the Australian Quarantine inspection Service on disinfection of aircraft. Recalls the work of Julian Brown, Sam Jamieson, Travis Flint, Ian Knox, Charlie Cooper, Brian Rose and others. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - leaflet "The history of biosecurity border inspection in New Zealand" which includes a photo of Nick Emery in uniform with a dog (with printed abstract) Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-002007 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) (abstract, form). 2 digital photograph(s). 1 interview(s). 2.57 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Textual files - Microsoft word; Image files - jpeg Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-002008, OHA-7305. Photographs of: Nick Emery, his Quarantine Officer's bag containing his tool kit (both 13 June 2008) Search dates: 1937 - 2008

Date: 18 Apr 2008

From: MAF Biosecurity New Zealand oral history project

By: Mooney, Brian Denis Simon, 1957-

Reference: OHInt-0975-15

Description: Interview with Brian Mooney, born in Alexandra in 1957. Refers to being raised in Clyde and Hamilton, and his father being a lawyer and then a magistrate. Talks about working for the New Zealand Forest Service after he left school, spending two years at Kaingaroa Forest training as a Woodsman Cadet. Comments on having a year off work after a bad motorcycle accident and later being sent to Tawarua Forest (Te Kuiti) to learn supervision. Mentions working at Aupouri Forest, Kaitaia for a year and then in the Thames Regional Office of the Forest Service where one of his tasks was collecting native seeds. Describes work in the Tairua Forest near Whangamata 1980-1985 planting kauri and supervising tree thinning. Comments on living in single men's camps at each forest and on camp life. Talks about becoming a Timber Inspection and Preservation Officer in Mt Maunganui in 1985, and the training he received in entomology, mycology and wood techology. Discusses his work inspecting export logs and timber, timber mills and preservation plants, as well as timber packaging on ships coming in. Mentions the port was focused on exports. Refers to the development of his passion for quarantine, especially import quarantine. Mentions dealing with termites which had arrived on Australian power poles. Comments on the merger of the Ministries of Forestry and Agriculture in 1987 and the culture change for Forestry staff. Talks about learning new skills after the merger of the Port Inspection Service and the Timber Inspection Service and the job becoming more complex. Refers to moving to Auckland in 1990 where his work became focused on imports. Mentions the shift to containerisation, working with people and the difference from working with exports. Describes in detail the chain of processes for importers on the wharf, and MAF and Customs having separate processes. Compares methods for inspecting an incoming ship as a timber inspector and later as a quarantine officer, and the problems with developing common procedures. Talks about agricultural risks for New Zealand, container standards and searching, and importer lobby groups. Refers to white spotted tussock moth and painted apple moth, the costs of incursion emergencies, and MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) being manager driven. Comments that Customs and MAF need more communication at all levels. Mentions pre-clearance on passenger and cruise liners, the risk of passenger items, and detector dogs. Describes the importance of the staff uniform. Comments on changes in attitudes to and opportunities for women in the service since the merger with MAF. Refers to the ethnic make up of staff, and to the TV programme Border Patrol. Mentions colleagues including Des Ogle, Neil Hyde, Pat Marsh, Len Greaves and David Grimshaw. Reflects on his deep passion for quarantine, and on the need to save New Zealand coming before staff and management. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - copy of booklet "Taking pines to pasture: merging of the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry (Cases in public sector innovation, no. 10, published by Victoria University of Wellington through Victoria Link, 2001.); with printed abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001102 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2.44 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7310. Search dates: 1957 - 2008

Date: 20 Feb 2009

From: MAF Biosecurity New Zealand oral history project

By: Short, Barry Phil, 1929-

Reference: OHInt-0975-19

Description: Interview with Barry Short, born in Halcombe, Manawatu, in 1929. Talks about his family background, growing up on a farm at Turakina and his schooling. Refers to working as a shepherd after he left school, and then in a pip fruit orchard packing fruit. Discusses joining the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture as a fruit inspector, first in Hastings and then in Alexandra. Talks about moving to the Port Agricultural Inspection Service in Auckland in 1956. Mentions the locations of the office in Auckland, early colleagues, and on-the-job training. Comments on the many training courses he attended during his career. Describes work on the wharves with cargo and passenger ships, and comments that initially he only checked plant material. Discusses quarantine requirements for plants and plant materials imported into New Zealand. Mentions the equipment officers used when inspecting ships and cargo. Talks about sealing ships' meat lockers, inspecting stores, checking and bonding pets, and garbage disposal. Refers to checking export produce and issuing phytosanitary certificates. Describes changes to the way cargo was inspected once containers were introduced. Mentions inspecting naval ships at Devonport, sugar ships at the refinery wharf, and incoming yachts. Discusses fumigation, training to do it, and fumigating peanuts, dates, rice and cocoa beans. Talks about inspecting parcels at the post office, particularly mail from Asia, and fumigating, reshipping or destroying some items. Discusses being shifted after 18 months to Whenuapai Airport where they inspected incoming civilian aircraft, military aircraft, and flying boats at Hobsonville. Details the spraying of aircraft, clearing passengers in the terminal, and disposal of garbage and food. Recalls meeting celebrities, sports people, dignitaries and royalty. Mentions a trip to Malaya for six weeks for pre-clearance of army personnel packing to return to New Zealand. Discusses moving to Dunedin in 1966, Operation Deep Freeze vessels and Russian fishing boats using the port, and checking the first police dogs imported by sea. Comments on later becoming Dunedin manager and that the region extended from Oamaru to Invercargill and Milford Sound. Describes changes in the organisation during his career including restructuring and the introduction of user charges. Recalls Julian Brown, director of the Port Agricultural Service, Don Possin, Charlie Cooper, Jim Henwood and others. Reflects on his career and always having following the rules himself. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001109 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract, form. 1 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). 1 interview(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-001110, OHA-7314. Scanned black and white photograph of Barry Short with Elizabeth Adern in airport passenger terminal (1963) Search dates: 1929 - 2009

Date: 17 Apr 2008

From: MAF Biosecurity New Zealand oral history project

By: Flint, Travis Nonnet, 1924-

Reference: OHInt-0975-11

Description: Interview with Travis Flint, born in Invercargill in 1924. Talks about growing up in a farming family, his schooling, and the family moving to Tauranga ca 1939/1940. Refers to working in the family citrus orchard until his call up by the Territorials aged 18, being transferred for a period to the Air Force, and travelling to Egypt in 1945. Discusses serving briefly at Forley in Italy, before being based in Trieste. Recalls hearing about the atom bomb being dropped on Hiroshima, returning to New Zealand before going to Japan in Jayforce. Discusses returning to New Zealand in late 1946, and studying at Lincoln College on a Department of Agriculture bursary. Talks about working for the Department of Agriculture as a horticultural field officer in Alexandra. Mentions taking a Plant Quarantine Officer course while in Alexandra, and then transferring to Palmerston North as a horticultural and agricultural quarantine officer. Mentions his work inspecting imported plants and incoming international mail and handling hunters' trophies. Talks about staff training at Palmerston North covering entomology, plant pathology, animal health, jurisprudence, fish identification and fumigation. Mentions treating aircraft at Ohakea. Refers to the Palmerston North seed testing station and intercepting cannabis seed. Discusses a promotion to deputy in the Port Agricultural Inspection Service in Auckland in 1963, and later becoming Regional Office Manager. Talks about the work involving boarding ships, checking larders, clearance of passengers, and control of transfer of goods between vessels. Comments on problems in the organisation three years after its establishment, and the lack of office space as the staff increased after the opening of Mangere airport. Reflects on the difficulties finding qualified staff in the early years of the Service, the number of university graduates with suitable training increasing but their need to be practical. Mentions that the staff was male and mainly Pakeha at the beginning. Comments that the Auckland office was responsible for the area from the far north to Taupo. Mentions checking food and pets on yachts in Northland, and checking mail for food at Taupo during the Tongariro hydro development project. Mentions the problem of bird smuggling on wheat ships from Australia, fish smuggling, and the dangers from meat imports. Refers to staff travelling to clear exports and their need to know the standards of importing countries. Mentions boarding the Royal Yacht Britannia, and President Lyndon Johnson wanting to bring his dog with him. Talks about the Auckland fumigation centre which lacked a training programme in 1963. Refers to cargo inspection in wharf sheds or in the holds before containerisation, and having to get shipping people to accept that ship sweepings and garbage could contain pests. Discusses the changes in treating cargo after the introduction of container shipping and air cargo, the problems with moving cargo off wharf to approved areas, and his preference for pre-treatment of goods. Describes airport processes for spraying insecticide in incoming aeroplanes and checking disembarking passengers. Comments on the development of risk passenger profiles to target passengers likely to try to bring in food, language difficulties, amnesty bins and Beagle sniffer dogs. Refers to being sent to the Islands to check practices with crops and exports. Describes relations with head office, time spent in Wellington, and meetings of regional managers. Talks about their relationship with the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, interchange of staff between Australia and New Zealand, and development of pre- and post-clearance systems for produce and vehicles. Describes the effects of the restructuring of MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries) in the 1980s on his situation, retiring in 1987, and setting up a company Horticultural Quality Services. Recalls other managers he worked with in the Service including Julian Brown, Gordon Halson, Don Possin and Neil Hyde. Reflects that his role was to improve the agriculture quarantine service of New Zealand and that educating the public is one of the most important aspects of the work. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-002011 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 digital photograph(s). 2 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s) 1 of black and white cartoon. 1 interview(s). 2.33 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7306. Two digital photographs of Travis Flint (17 April 2008). Scanned B&W photographs of: Travis Flint with confiscated stuffed animals; Travis Flint in a display room of confiscated items?; scanned Lonsdale cartoon about a new type of ant found in a ship's hold Search dates: 1924 - 2008

Date: 20 Feb 2007

From: Civilian life in New Zealand during the Second World War oral history project

By: Hume, Derek Martyn, 1925-2016

Reference: OHInt-0980-09

Description: Interview with Derek Hume, born in Auckland in 1925. Outlines his family history. Mentions his solicitor father, who had served in World War I, had a stroke on the day World War II was declared. Recalls the large family home in Gillies Avenue was subdivided into flats during the Depression. Mentions they had an orchard and kept poultry on their large section. Talks about his childhood and schooling, and being able to attend Kings College only because his father had been on the governing board. Refers to talk of war and singing patriotic songs at school. Talks about his brother Larry joining up, being sent to Australia to train as a commando, but being killed in 1942 on his first day in action. Mentions cousins who were killed in action. Describes the casualty lists in the newspapers and the reactions of parents and other adults. Explains that once the Japanese entered the war people felt it would go on for years. Talks about getting most of their news from newspapers rather than radio, and comments that victory in the Battle of the River Plate gave people a boost. Mentions the Battle of the Coral Sea was a turning point, but they did not know about the bombing of Darwin. Describes digging trenches at school, air raid practice and a plane crashing near the school. Recalls training with the Kings College school cadets including first aid, morse code and bomb disposal training. Talks about having to leave school at 17 as his mother was unwell and his father had died. Discusses working for Firestone after he left school, the wartime tyre permit system, and bartering excess permits for other goods and food. Describes joining the Navy when he was 18 and being sent to England in January 1945 after basic training. Refers to sailing in a convoy of 86 ships across the Atlantic where one ship was torpedoed and six were lost in a storm on the way. Comments on damage in London and Plymouth and seeing the last doodlebug over London. Recalls VJ Day, having had submarine training and expecting to go east until the atomic bomb was dropped. Reflects on the impact of the war, and his brother's death not having the effect 'it should have' because of their age difference. Abstracted by - Erin Flanigan Interviewer(s) - Alison Parr Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-022547 - OHC-022549 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3.10 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7332. Photocopy(?) of a black and white photograph of Derek Hume (1942); printout of a colour photograph of Derek (2007) Search dates: 1925 - 2007

Date: 2 May 2008 - 02 May 2008

From: MAF Biosecurity New Zealand oral history project

By: Williams, Harcourt Daniel Macey, 1921-2016

Reference: OHInt-0975-21

Description: Interview with Harry (Harcourt) Williams, born in Blenheim in 1921. Talks about his family background, growing up on a farm at Kaiuma Bay, Pelorus Sound, his schooling, and studying at Massey Agricultural College 1939-1940. Comments on joining the Territorials just before war was declared but not being mobilised because he was working on a farm. Refers to joining the Navy in 1944, training in Auckland and New York, and then sailing to Scotland on the Il de France. Mentions the war was over before he saw active service. Discusses going into forestry after he was demobbed, working as a leading hand in the Waipoua and Tairua forests, and then working in the last kauri timber mill in Auckland after he married in 1948. Refers to taking a job assembling trolley buses after the mill closed, and then trying carpentry. Discusses joining the Forest Service in 1959 as a timber inspector. Describes work on the wharves checking for insects on incoming timber, particularly Australian hardwood poles, and refers to the difficulty of finding insects before their damage was visible. Outlines the treatment used when signs of termites and other pests were found. Mentions the insect specimen collection in the Forestry huts on the Kings Wharf, and the inspection notebooks they used. Refers to checking incoming poles and timber at Northland ports although Port Agriculture officers sometimes did it for them. Describes inspecting wood in general cargo, cases and dunnage. Comments that when he started cargo was packed in wood with infested bark on the inside of the crates, and cable drums were another hazard. Refers to the change to pallet cargo and then container shipping. Mentions ship fumigation with methyl bromide and the danger of gas in the holds. Recalls getting calls from members of the public about insect infestations and checking them. Talks about inspecting export timber at mills and problems with rot in damp timber. Explains how they worked with Port Agricultural Officers inspecting ships. Criticises the process of returning service personnel having their gear pre-cleared overseas. Reflects on relationships with importers, watersiders and others on the wharves. Mentions they became sampling officers for the Timber Preservation Authority and the work involved. Comments on contributing to training courses for new staff. Talks about retiring in 1986 but being called back fill in while permanent staff went to Rotorua for training after the Forest Service was disbanded in 1987. Recalls Len Greaves, Mike Lay, Wally Barber and Travis Flint. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Handwritten notes based on Mr Williams' work notebooks (3 p.); photocopy of other handwritten notes about aspects of his work as a timber inspector (6 p.), with printed abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001112 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 digital photograph(s). 1 interview(s). 2.41 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Image file - jpeg Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7316. Digital photograph of Harry Williams taken on the day of the interview Search dates: 1921 - 2008

Date: 3 Jul 2007 - 03 Jul 2007

From: Civilian life in New Zealand during the Second World War oral history project

By: Beech, Marian, 1917-2015

Reference: OHInt-0980-01

Description: Interview with Marion Beech (nee Harvey), born in Newcastle, England, in 1917. Talks about her musical family including her father's "glorious tenor voice", and emigrating to New Zealand in 1928. Refers to leaving school young and working at Smith and Caughey. Mentions her brother Edgar starting a jazz club in Auckland. Comments that life had been carefree until war came, boys started to leave, and her brother joined up. Talks about seeing Edgar off three times, and mixed feelings about soldiers marching down Queen Street. Refers to the courage of conscientious objectors. Comments on rationing, not recalling being short of food, vegetable gardening, and passing on unused coupons. Explains they received all war news from the radio, and were lucky not to have television coverage. Talks about meeting her husband Rev Walter Beech when they were best man and chief bridemaid at a wedding. Refers to marrying and moving to the Bay of Islands where Walter, who had failed a Services medical, worked with many bereft people. Mentions Walter's extra petrol coupons. Comments on the vicarage being an open house to doctors and nurses, not being concerned about New Zealand being invaded, and making parcels to send to New Zealand forces overseas. Talks about letters from her brother and the slow postal service. Describes how her brother died when his plane crashed during take-off, just after his honeymoon, the family reaction, and his widow Josephine spending two years in New Zealand after the war. Comments on the community spirit among church members and that everyone had the understanding of being in it together. Recalls being thrilled by the end of the war, and hearing about Hiroshima. Comments that her husband knew he would be dealing with damaged men returning. Mentions moving to a parish in Papakura where Walter gave services at the army camp. Talks about 300 English Tommies coming to the camp to recover from a Japanese torture camp, and the vicarage being open to the soldiers day and night as they were starved of home life. Calls her relationship with the soldiers "one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences" of her life. Abstracted by - Erin Flanigan Interviewer(s) - Alison Parr Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-022524 - OHC-022525 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7324. Prinouts of colour photograph of Marion Beech (2007), and a (scanned?) black and white photograph of Marion Beech with her husband Walter, possibly on their wedding day (1940) Search dates: 1917 - 2007

Date: 21 May 2008

From: MAF Biosecurity New Zealand oral history project

By: Brown, Peter Dennis, 1938-

Reference: OHInt-0975-05

Description: Interview with Peter Brown, born in Takapuna in 1938. Refers to growing up in Takapuna and Devonport, and attending Mt Albert Grammar School to study agriculture. Talks about his early interest in farming and outlines his early career in farming, as an ambulance driver, and having a milk run. Discusses becoming a Port Agriculture Officer in 1966 and the long hours worked between airport, town office and shipping duties. Describes their uniforms. Refers to staff training through short training courses at research stations around the country as well as in-house training. Comments that the people initially employed had a horticultural or agricultural background, and later people with higher education levels were hired. Talks about Mary Middleton, the first woman Agricultural Officer in Auckland, and how her presence changed the atmosphere at work. Describes post office mail inspection. Talks about inspecting ships and sealing any foreign meat while ships were in port. Mentions the early practice of dumping ships' rubbish beyond Rangitoto, and naval garbage going to a pig farm until an incinerator was built after an outbreak of swine fever. Comments on procedures for inspecting produce ships from the Islands, and on the risk of fruit fly introduction with the freeing up of trade. Refers to procedures when (potential) pests were found in incoming produce. Mentions training at the fumigation centre in Tinley Street, and writing a manual on resuscitation and first aid which was added to the staff procedures manual. Comments on checking imported cars and machinery, teaching Army personnel in Singapore how to clean their vehicles before bringing them back to New Zealand, and checking Australian Army vessels during joint exercises at Great Barrier Island. Discusses the shift work meeting international flights during the night, processing incoming passengers, the different types of food various nationalities would try to bring in, and the advent of amnesty bins. Refers to the introduction of dogs, and mentions special treatment for VIPs. Talks about disinfection of aircraft (including Air Force One), changes in procedures over the years, and passengers not liking being sprayed. Comments on disposal of food and garbage from incoming planes. Refers to the setting up of an office at the Mangere Airport cargo terminal as air freight increased, and the process for clearing cargo. Mentions dealing with race horses arriving by air, as well as their owners, trainers and drugs. Refers to zoo animals coming in and the Auckland zoo being a quarantine zoo. Discusses checking export produce and issuing phytosanitary certificates, the need to keep up to date with the requirements of importing countries, and manager Travis Flint's ability to find pests. Remembers co-workers Alf Davis, Charlie Cooper, Neil Hyde, Don Possin, Albert Tolliday and others. Explains that he left the Service in 1989 because of the bureaucracy and the difficult rosters and hours worked. Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Photocopies of handwritted roster schemes for Port Agriculture Officers at Auckland International Airport, 1966, 1968, 1988 (4 p.), with printed abstract Accompanying material - Scanned images of: job advertisement for Port Agricultural Officers and letter Peter Brown received in response to his application asking for more information; Peter Brown's fumigation operator's certificate; Peter Brown's qualification to issue phytosanitary certificates; letter Peter Brown received in 1988 agreeing to his early retirement when MAF was restructured. Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001098 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 printed abstract(s). 4 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s) - scans of documents. 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-001099, OHA-7300. Search dates: 1938 - 2008