oral history
Everybody has a story to tell. It may be a unique experience, a particular skill or a life well-lived. Many of these stories are lost when people die or move on from organisations and communities.
2Write specialises in oral history projects for individuals, families and groups. In oral history interviews, the emphasis is on people’s memories, personal stories and reflections. These elements bring to life more formal sources of information and illuminate the experiences of people whose voices often go unheard.
The War That Never Ended
Pip’s second book, The War That Never Ended: New Zealand Veterans Remember Korea, is based on oral history interviews with 12 NZ veterans of the Korean War who share their wartime experiences. Their personal narratives breathe life into this important historical event and will give future generations a greater understanding of a largely forgotten war. Commissioned by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and published by Penguin Books, the book was launched at Parliament in March 2013.
Listen to Pip’s interview with Eva Radich on National Radio, Friday 22 March 2013.
'Your book is marvellous. I raced through it in a couple of evenings. Having spoken to a handful of veterans myself this week by phone, I'm very impressed with the candour and detail of your interviews.' - Adam Bennett, political reporter, NZ Herald
Trust: A True Story of Women and Gangs ‘A potent combination of oral history and memoir that packs a powerful punch.' - NZ Post Book Awards judges
2Write’s oral history service
We:
- record individual, family, organisation or community histories, based on oral history interviews and techniques
- use top-of-the-range recording equipment to provide the best possible sound quality
- provide CD audio recordings of all interviews, along with a detailed print summary or transcript of contents
- conduct historical research to inform the interviews and complement the oral material
- design books and publications based on the audio recordings that include other material such as letters, diaries, family trees and photos
- follow strict ethical guidelines regarding the storage and use of information collected.
Please get in touch to talk about a project you have in mind.
Our oral history highlights
- Pip’s 2015-2016 contract with the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority involved in-depth oral history interviews with past and present staff .
- Pip’s books, The War That Never Ended: New Zealand Veterans Remember Korea, and Trust: A True Story of Women and Gangs are based on oral history interviews with ordinary people who face extraordinary circumstances.
- Pat’s detailed personal and business history of a Wellington family is based on oral history interviews with family members.
- Pat has also recorded the life story of a retired Wellington scientist, providing audio files and transcripts to the man and his family.
- In Timor-Leste, Pip supported Timorese researchers who have recorded 800 women’s stories of resistance to the brutal Indonesian occupation of their country.
- Pip has done Judith Fyfe’s oral history training and is a member of the National Oral History Association of NZ. Her interviews are deposited in the Oral History Centre at the National Library, and meet its ethical and professional standards.
Best first book of non-fiction, 2010 NZ Post Book Awards
