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Date: 13 Sep to 8 Nov 2005 - 13 Sep 2005 - 08 Nov 2005

From: Royal Society of New Zealand Wellington Branch oral history project

By: Grindley, George William, 1925-2019; Marr, Julene, active 2000s

Reference: OHInt-1008-05

Description: Interview with George Grindley, born in Dunedin in 1925. Outlines his family background in Otago including gold mining. Comments on his schooling, studying science and the importance of education in the family. Discusses attending the Otago School of Mines, and mentions field trips and holiday jobs at mines. Talks about getting a job with the Geological Survey in Auckland, and returning to university to complete a masters degree researching the geology of the Eglinton Valley. Discusses working on the West Coast where he became assistant to Harold Wellman and worked with others on the displacement of the Alpine Fault. Refers to having a year's leave in 1951, his departure being hindered by the waterfront strike, and working in south Wales and Canada as well as visiting Europe. Mentions northern hemisphere plate tectonics. Discusses his work on geological mapping in New Zealand and his geothermal work including being site geologist at Wairakei. Comments on the cooperation between government and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) in the Wairakei project, and on the future of geothermal power in New Zealand. Mentions his involvement with geothermal power developments in the Philippines, Mexico and elsewhere. Discusses going to Antarctica in geological survey teams [in 1961-62, 1977-78 and 1981-82] doing geological mapping and paleomagnetic surveys, the equipment available at the time, and working for three months in the polar high area with dog teams. Mentions the Gondwana hyphothesis. Refers to a major discovery of fossils in Marie Byrd Land in 1977. Comments on Scott Base and on the well-equipped Americans in Antarctica. Mentions his field trips in China and Southeast Asia. Talks about administrative work in the DSIR, and the Geological Survey's structure. Discusses his publications, the globalisation of science, and international conferences on tectonics, vulcanology and geology he has attended. Mentions geothermal monitoring of Ruapehu, Mt St Helens and active volcanic areas elsewhere. Comments on monitoring rifting in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Discusses the disadvantage of specialisation for scientists leaving them vulnerable to funding changes. Talks about the effects of 'Rogernomics' and people who lost their jobs. Comments on the end of the DSIR, asset transfers, and subsequent restructuring. Reflects that scientists should run science but they can have a communication problem. Mentions the importance of the media, popularisation of science, and public understanding of science topics such as climate change and plate tectonics. Outlines advice he would give to a young scientist in New Zealand and good qualities in scientists. Interviewer(s) - Julene Marr Accompanying material - photocopy of an article "Retirement of George Grindley" from Newsletter, Geological Society of New Zealand, no. 76, June 1987 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-023144 - OHC-023152 Quantity: 8 C60 cassette(s). 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s) (handwritten). 1 interview(s). 8.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7602. Eight colour photographs of George Grindley and his study; colour photograph of a photograph of a dog sled in Antarctica (with abstract) Search dates: 1925 - 1947 - 2005 - 1987

Date: 03 October 2010 - 03 Oct 2010

From: Reflections from funeral directors who have worked in New Zealand and Australia

By: Day, Francis, 1947-

Reference: OHInt-1015-03

Description: Interview with Francis Day. Born in 1947 in Nelson, one of nine children. Describes childhood memories of growing up in family run funeral parlour business Day and Son, later known as P Day and Son Ltd, and then Eventide Funeral Services. Talks about his grandmother, Hilda Day (nee Emms), a school teacher, hockey player for New Zealand and businesswoman, and his grandfather Francis Maurice (Paddy) Day who purchased first motorized hearse in Nelson. Recalls family business in Hardy Street, the move to Vanguard Street and then to Marsden House premises to manage Marsden House Funeral directors. Talks about attending Australian Academy of Embalming and Funeral Hygiene in 1964. Discusses Australian methods of dealing with body decomposition and adoption of English customs in funeral services. Recalls in his father's time (Patrick (Pat) Day), there was method of temporary preservation and that proper embalming using intravenous circulation was important development. Refers to embalming training being in Australia, England and American resulting in 13 qualified embalmers in New Zealand by 1971. Mentions being one of three man team which developed embalming curriculum for New Zealand Embalmers Association (NZEA). Talks about embalming being required for hygiene, control of disease and presentation of deceased. Discusses how funeral work affects whole life and attributues neccessary for role. Observes changes from fewer family owned businesses and women entering the profession. Observes role progressed from providing coffin and transportation to profession that provides care for others. Refers to bereavement support program. Talks about his business expansion projects, opening his own crematorim in Motueka, developing 'Gardens of the World' property at Hope, Nelson. Describes tutoring embalming for 12 years and 30 years on Funeral service Training Trust (FSTT). Discusses environmental impact of embalming fluids and need for regulation of embalmers because of dealing with dangerous substances. Mentions membership of British Institute of Embalmers. Discusses Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ), their Griefcare quality assurance programme and his reasons for forming New Zealand Independent Funeral Homes (NZIFH) with others. Talks about the business covering Nelson, Rye Valley, Murchison and Golden Bay. Recalls dealing with different ethnic groups. Details Chinese funeral practises. Recounts working on police call outs for fishing industry deaths, and traumantic deaths. Mentions body removal after Inangahua earthquake. Recalls personal impact of working on Mount Erebus air disaster team. Discusses socialising as a funeral director and impact of profession on home life. Mentions dealing with children's funerals and suicides. Discusses green or eco burials. Expresses concern over direct cremation. Talks about dealing with differing family member wishes. Describes portrayals of profession in media and entertainment. Talks about his 46 years in the business and considers 'it's a calling'. Abstracted by - Penny Brander Interviewer(s) - Penny Brander Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s). 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 interview(s). 2.57 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7629, OHDL-001865. Search dates: 1947 - 2010

Date: 29 May 2001

From: TB sanatorium patients (New Zealand) oral history project

By: Rich, Marina Joan, 1935-2011

Reference: OHInt-0837-07

Description: Interview with Marina Rich (nee Hill) about her experiences as a teenage tuberculosis (TB) patient and the two periods she spent in Coronation Hospital. Refers to first being admitted in 1947 when she was 14 and had just started high school, and having complete bed rest for three months. Refers to Dr MacIntyre who made a fuss of her. Mentions most of the patients were adults and she grew up quickly. Comments on gradually being allowed out of bed as she improved. Talks about the useful skills she learnt doing occupational therapy while recouperating in the "middle san". Talks about her schooling having ended when she was admitted to hospital, and working after she had recouperated after leaving hospital. Discusses haemorrhaging two years later and being readmitted to hospital where she was treated with the new drug streptomycin. Comments that she was frightened the second time but not the first time she was in hospital. Reflects that she now worries about all the X-rays she had. Mentions she worried about a recurrence, and was not allowed to breast feed her five children. Interviewer(s) - Sue McCauley Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-012729 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) - printed. 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 interview(s). Physical Description: Textual file - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-4269, OHDL-000901. Search dates: 1947 - 2001

Date: 1 Oct 2001 - 01 Oct 2001

From: TB sanatorium patients (New Zealand) oral history project

By: Reeve, Betty Margaret, active 1947-2001

Reference: OHInt-0837-13

Description: Interview with Betty Reeve about her experiences as a tuberculosis (TB) patient in the late 1940s. Refers to being diagnosed with TB in 1947 when she was eighteen years old, and being admitted to Cashmere Sanatorium. Comments on being devastated at being cut off from the outside world for 12 months with the first two months as total bed rest. Talks about the friendly patients in the women's ward who helped her forget her self pity. Mentions patients came from as far away as Wellington and the West Coast. Comments that she was not allowed to knit while on bed rest but could read magazines, and that she had few visitors. Mentions the relief she felt when she was allowed to get up for an hour a day. Refers to having a lung collapse or pneumothorax, and needing follow-up treatment for it for three years. Discusses moving to the "top san" where she had a single room and patients could socialise during the day and do knitting or needlework. Comments she was moved down to the "middle san" where patients "hardened off" in huts with doors always open. Refers to being discharged from hospital after a year, and having to reconnect with friends whose lives had moved on. Talks about having regular check-ups until she was declared fit to work again, and going back to Coronation Hospital to train as a nurse. Describes an occasion when a patient haemhorraged badly when she was on night duty, and another patient haemhorraging and dying before any other staff arrived. Talks about leaving after two years to get married and getting pregnant shortly afterwards. Refers to needing regular check-ups during her first pregnancy and being advised not to breastfeed. Reflects on how she matured during her time as a patient and a nurse. Interviewer(s) - Sue McCauley Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-012737 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) - printed. 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 interview(s). Physical Description: Textual file - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-4275, OHDL-000907. Search dates: 1947 - 2001

Date: 28 Jul 2009

From: Effects of the Wahine Disaster 10 April 1968 oral history project

By: Mason, James Francis, 1947-

Reference: OHInt-0976-03

Description: Interview with Jim (James) Mason, born in Lower Hutt in 1947. Mentions his father served in North Africa and Italy in World War II but did not talk about his experiences for many years. Talks about growing up in Taita, the development of the suburb in the 1950s, his schooling, and recreational and youth activities. Refers to serving an apprenticeship at Philips Electrical in Naenae, making his own television set at home, and becoming a radio and television serviceman. Comments on joining the Police in 1967, the training, and qualifying as a permanent constable when he was 21. Describes policing in Lower Hutt in the 1960s, being short-staffed, 6 o'clock closing, and attitudes of the public towards the police. Refers to the introduction of radios in police cars and the station watch house in the late 1960s. Discusses events on 10th April 1968 when his shift started at 5am, the storm, being sent to Eastbourne when his shift ended, and parking at Burdan's Gate. Refers to walking along the coast out of radio contact, seeing orange life rafts, survivors walking towards them and people in the water. Talks about the difficulty of getting people out of the water and up the shingly beach. Explains about being unable to rescue one lady who was then dashed against the rocks, but immediately saving a young woman. Refers to adrenaline, the noise of the sea and shingle, and persuading survivors to get up the bank away from the sea. Mentions that they could not cope with the need at Hinds Bay where he was with other policemen. Refers to leaving at about 5.30 when it started to get dark, reaching the gate at about 7 pm. Talks about returning to the police station, then going home, storm damage, and returning to the coast the next day to retrieve bodies and personal effects. Reflects on his traumatic memory of not being able to save one lady, having contact with her family, and meeting the next woman he saved at the 40th anniversary. Refers to being interviewed about his experiences for a film and writing an account of the day. Interviewer(s) - Shelley Dunford. Accompanying material - "Wahine Day - some memories of a Lower Hutt policeman" (2 p.); photocopy of a letter he received from the daughter of a victim whom he could not save and printouts of four related email messages; text of an article "The Wahine was almost in its side when Jillian Vanzetti was thrown into the seething water" with three ill. (Dominion Post 7 April 2008) Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001129 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2.43 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Textual file - Microsoft word Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-001130, OHA-7320. Photocopy of a B&W photograph of Jim Mason as a young policeman; printouts of three colour photographs of Jim Mason (2009) [with printed abstract] Search dates: 1947 - 2009

Date: 21 March 2004 - 21 Mar 2004

From: Art Taranaki oral history project

By: Hellyar, Christine, 1947-

Reference: OHInt-0769-01

Description: Oral history interview with Christine Hellyar, born 1947 in New Plymouth. Outlines family background - father was a photographer. Recalls introduction to art at New Plymouth Girls High School - mentions Fiona Clarke and Dale Copeland. Talks about attending Elam Art School - was taught by Colin McCahon - recalls first day and discusses staying at the Baptist Youth Hostel, the hippy movement and the interesting people she met - identifies Rodney Charteris, Christopher Mason, and James K Baxter. Discusses formation of New Zealand Society of Sculptors and her role as Vice President - mentions Paul Beadle, Jim Allen, Greer Twiss, Rodney Kirk-Smith and Hamish Keith. Mentions Jacqueline Fraser, Pauline Rhodes and Ian Hunter in reference to 1982 exhibition at the National Gallery. Talks about previous and current art projects - describes working with latex, bronze and hibiscus. Recalls overseas travel to Europe. Egypt, Japan and Korea - discusses her exhibitions in Australia. Discusses work done during time as artist in residence for the Department of Conservation on Mount Taranaki in 2004 - recalls childhood memories of the 'old camp house' at Mount Egmont. Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian Interviewer(s) - Mary Donald Accompanying material - Copies of published articles from books, newspapers, exhibition catalogues and magazines Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014374, OHC-014375 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5150. Photocopied articles include copies of photographs of Christine Hellyar and her work Search dates: 1947 - 2004

Date: 11 Dec 2006

From: Otari Wilton's Bush oral history project

By: Brockie, Robert Ellison (Dr), 1932-

Reference: OHInt-0830-02

Description: Interview with Bob Brockie, born Christchurch, 23 April 1932, and brought up in Merivale, Christchurch. Refers to his father Walter Boa Brockie emigrating to New Zealand in 1921 and working first as a gardener in Dunedin. Mentions his father started working at the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch in 1928 and was quickly promoted. Outlines how after six months on Campbell Island as a meteorological officer in 1946, his father shifted to Wellington in 1947 for the job of curator at Otari-Wilton's Bush. Recalls that the Bush was neglected after the war, and his father gave up on the forest communities, concentrating instead on rock gardens for alpine plants. Mentions that much of the reserve was in gorse in the 1940s and 1950s. Outlines other native plantings his father did in Wilton and Wadestown. Mentions that possums were rare in the 1950s and discusses the birds he saw. Describes his father's plant-collecting trips, mainly to the South Island. Outlines his father's work in hybridising native species. Mentions his father's connections with the DSIR Botany Division. Also mentions his father writing a book titled Growing Alpine Plants, editing the National Gardener, and writing gardening columns for the Ashburton Guardian and a Christchurch magazine City Beautiful. Briefly discusses his own activities at Otari-Wilton's Bush and university career. Interviewer(s) - Johnathan Kennett Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5576. Search dates: 1921 - 1947 - 2006

Date: 15 Jan 2007

From: Otari Wilton's Bush oral history project

By: Braggins, Janet Mary, 1933-; Jarnell, Barbara Anderson, 1939-

Reference: OHInt-0830-01

Description: Interview with Janet Mary Braggins (nee Brockie), born Christchurch 1933, and Barbara Anderson Jarnell (nee Brockie), born Christchurch 1939. Talk about their father Walter Brockie, who worked at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens until they moved to Wellington in 1947 when he became curator at Otari. Describe their home and family life at Otari, and community life in Wadestown. Discuss their father's work maintaining and developing the gardens, referring to the rock garden, Cockayne's memorial grave, and planting kauri. Mention the two staff Arnold Henderson and Bon Everett, neighbour James K Baxter, and friend Harry Talbot. Discuss their father's interests (including photography and homebrewing), holiday plant collecting trips including Campbell Island, and breeding native plants. Mention their mother Vera Best started the visitors' book - James K Baxter wrote a poem in it. Refer to their father saying that it would probably be another 50 years before his work at Otari would be appreciated. Interviewer(s) - Johnathan Kennett Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 1 C60 cassette(s). 57 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5563. Search dates: 1933 - 1947 - 2007

Date: 1947

From: Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Mobile Unit sound recordings

Reference: OHC-007626

Description: Items by Te Awamutu Combined Church's Choir, Te Awamutu Municipal Band, Te Awamutu Ladies Choir, Te Awamutu Orphans Sextet and Te Awamutu Primary School. Mr. Bertram recalls King Tawhiao and other Maori, Mrs Cruickshanks recalls her father's memories of the battles of Orakau and Rangiaohia and Mrs North speaks of her association with the family of Sir John Gorst. Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).

Date: 1947

From: Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Mobile Unit sound recordings

Reference: OHC-007624

Description: James Harris describes Huntly's mining history, Mrs Holland and Matt Russell discuss early Huntly and Kimihia and there are sound effects from the Kimihia Open Cast Coal Mine. There are items by the Huntly RSA Orchestra, the Rakaumaunga Native School and the Cambridge Festival Combined School Choirs. Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).

Date: 1947

From: Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Mobile Unit sound recordings

Reference: OHC-007621

Description: Items by the Te Rahui Methodist Maori Girls Group, the Hamilton Caledonian Society Pipe, the Morrinsville Pipe Band and the Morrinsville Municipal Band. Interviews Sir Stephen Allen about Morrinsville's history. Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).

Date: 1947

From: Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Mobile Unit sound recordings

Reference: OHC-007622

Description: Items by the Thames choristers, Thames High School Girls Choir and the Herb Walkers Dance Band. Mr McCulloch describes the gold mining boom in the area. Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).

Date: 1947

From: Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Mobile Unit sound recordings

Reference: OHC-007623

Description: Charlie Hovell continues an account of his life, Riki Kereopa talks about Paerere the tohunga, Maori reaction to the visit of the ship `Coromandel', James Mackay and Maori opposition to miners. Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s).