Talagi, Mona, 1926-
Interview with Georgie Thompson and Mona Talagi
Date: 28 May 2003
From: We call it home; State Housing history project
By: Thompson, Thelma Alison, 1963-; Talagi, Mona, 1926-
Reference: OHInt-0872-19
Description: Interview with Georgie Thompson, born in Auckland, 1963, and with Mona Talagi, born Taranaki in 1926. Georgie Thompson talks about her mother being of Tainui descent and her father of Scottish descent. Discusses growing up in a semi-detached state house in Glen Innes in a large family, and never feeling crowded. Mentions her father left when she was seven, and having to do the housework while her mother worked. Refers to fights among the children, discipline, parties and music. Comments on her mother and aunty speaking Maori, going to marae and tangi, and them teaching respect for elders. Mentions not having a car, and picking puha and watercress. Comments on a field at the back of the house that played a huge role in family life. Refers to changes in the community in the 1970s when there was an influx of pakeha, Pacific Islanders and gangs. Talks about her attitude to government involvment in housing, and the difficulties created by market rents. Mentions that Housing Corporation placed an eviction notice on the front door the day after her mother died, having a difficult time fighting for custody of her sisters, and taking over the tenancy as she was aged 18. Mona Talagi talks about her family background, Tainui descent, and growing up in Manaia where her parents were sharemilkers. Mentions moving to Auckland about 1952 and living in Papatoetoe with her partner Joe Ratene? Recalls applying for a state house in 1960 when she was pregnant with her third child. Describes the three-bedroomed house they were assigned and calls it a good family home. Talks about family life, Christmas being a big occasion with a hangi, parties and music, and the vegetable garden. Mentions having lived in a state house for 43 years, and needing an accommodation supplement in the 1990s during the period of market rents. Interviewer(s) - Ben Schrader Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015665 - OHC-015666 Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1.42 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5626 (draft). Search dates: 1926 - 1963 - 2003