Interview with Robert Ellison (Bob) Brockie

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

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.