Interview with Mate Sisley

Mate Sisley was born at Otakiri on 4 March 1950. She grew up in a large extended family in Otakiri and was largely raised by her maternal grandparents after her father had an accident. Describes her schooling, going to secretarial college and working at Tasman Pulp and Paper. Talks about what her siblings are doing now.

Describes her marriage and moving to Wellington with her husband. Recalls working for Robert Muldoon, socialising with him and being the only Maori working for the National Party. Describes having her children, the death of her husband in a car accident and its effect on her.

Talks about the day of the earthquake and her job as secretary to the Mayor and Council at the time of the earthquake. Notes that the Council was meeting at the time. Describes the Council buildings being set up as Civil Defence headquarters. Comments on the role of Wira Gardiner. Talks about returning home and going to see her children at a relative's house. Describes taking the children to Rotorua and cleaning the mess at her house. Describes disorganisation and alienation and recalls that it took a few days before people developed a community spirit. Describes the work of the army and recalls elderly people being taken to the marae. Talks about working at the Disaster Recovery Centre at Edgecumbe. Comments on the work of Elsie Walker, the lack of involvement of politicians and difficulties with insurance. Describes her children as still frightened.

Venue - Whakatane : 1950

Interviewer(s) - Fyfe, Judith

Venue - At 12 Kauri Street, Edgecumbe

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002889; OHC-002890; OHC-002891

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 555.

Photograph of Mate Sisley in February 1990; photograph of Mate Sisley and others about 1980; photograph of Mate Sisley and Judith Tangitu about 1953

Search dates: 1990

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-008092 - OHLC-008094