Interview with Pat McNamara

Interview with Pat (Patrick) McNamara, born in Whangarei in 1955. Talks about growing up in Whangarei in a poor but happy Catholic family where he gained a sense of social justice. Discusses leaving catholicism, travelling overseas and finding he did not fit in any more with his friends when he returned. Comments on his connection with forest and land, his shock at finding forest cleared for farms, and gradually becoming an activist. Refers to the demonstration in Whangarei during the 1981 Springbok tour. Discusses searching for an alternative lifestyle and his transient life, moving to Buller and settling in Denniston. Describes the formation of the Buller Conservation Group (BCG) and the dependence of the West Coast on extractive industries. Mentions the main aims of the Group were creation of Paparoa National Park and stopping native logging on crown land. Talks about forest devastation by the Forest Service and the local attitude to logging. Discusses the need for public education, raising debate in the newspaper, and persuading many Buller residents to support Paparoa National Park.

Describes how Guy Salmon from the Native Forest Action Council (NFAC) and Forest and Bird ended up creating the West Coast Accord with local mayors and government, a move that was considered "a sellout" by other environmental activists. Discusses how the forest campaign was restarted in 1996 with planning for the Charleston occupation by Nicky Hager and others, visiting the forest with Terry Sumner and later with a Native Forest Action (NFA) group. Talks about the start of the occupation in February 1997, setting up camps at night, logistics, and communications using radio. Refers to tree climbing, building platforms in trees, but only using them when visitors were coming. Describes day to day life of the occupation, visits by politicians, the enthusiasm of younger protesters, and the experienced older campaigners. Refers to activists being arrested, Timberlands stating it would stop logging "until the government sorted it out", but just moving their operations up the gorge. Mentions activists being arrested when they went to check out the new logging area. Discusses incidents with helicopters, hostile actions by Westport police, and the media interest whenever protesters were arrested. Comments that he was able to participate because his wife worked, but reflects on the difficulty of being part of the Westport community and a protester. Mentions the NFA celebration in Charleston in 2002, and the hostile actions of locals who tried to disrupt it. Reflects on how he had trouble finding work in Westport for a time because of his environmental activism.

Interviewer(s) - Mary-Lou Harris

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001046

Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s). 1 Electronic document(s) (abstract). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 digital photograph(s). 1 interview(s). 2.04 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHDL-001047, OHA-7265.

Search dates: 1955 - 2008

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