Manawatu Conversations

By MPR - Manawatu People's Radio

Local people giving recollections of the past, sometimes opinions of the future. Hear about the lives of people in your local community, where they are from and what they have experienced. Discover ho... more

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FAQs about Manawatu Conversations:

How many episodes does Manawatu Conversations have?

The podcast currently has 375 episodes available.

Manawatu Conversations episodes:

August 06, 2024 Manawatu Conversations Episode 325 - Alison Mildon 1 of 5
Born in Kairanga the youngest of three.
Was fearful of the Korean war in 1950s. Father said if it came to New Zealand they would head for the hills.
Two sets of grandparents living quite close
When she was four years old two Dutch men came into her life
Was deeply affected by watching someone tied to a tree in film Davy Crockett
Was told as a child she had ‘an old head’
Enjoyed farm life but had conflicts with her brother.
Went to a small country school where three classes shared a classroom and a teacher
Strapped for discipline. Fingernails and teeth were inspected.
Didn’t belong to groups with other children. Didn’t like cliques.
For a long time it was difficult for her to believe people liked her.
Learning was not hard.
Very few toys as a child. Liked dolls.
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29min
July 30, 2024 Manawatu Conversations Episode 324 - Sue Stirling 3 of 3
Sue Sterling, Part 3 of 3. Has written a book Manawatu Striders, Runners and Walkers : The First Four Decades available from Palmerston North City Library.
Had finished interviews for the book before Covid struck.
Travelled to England with husband in March 2020.
Lived in Reading.
Covid shutdowns in UK affected their plans so they returned to NZ early.
New Zealand in lockdown but they were able to return because they had NZ passports.
Their house was still rented out so rented accommodation in Auckland,
Had to self isolate.
Eventually returned to their home in Palmerston North
Kept in touch with family and U3A with video communication.
Returned to Britain in April 2022 after Covid restrictions had eased.
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27min
July 23, 2024 Manawatu Conversations Episode 323 - Sue Stirling 2 of 3
Sue has been a member of Manawatu Striders since 2006.
She has written a book Manawatu Striders, Runners and Walkers : The First Four Decades available from Palmerston North City Library.
Striders is for adults.
Motto ‘complete not compete’
Meet on Sunday mornings and form groups of five or six people. Two hours.
Started as a running club but now includes walkers.
No dogs!
Runs events in January and February for the public.
Parkrun is a similar organization but not associated with Striders. Time is recorded and entered on their website www.parkrun.co.nz and can be compared with other contestants.
Challenges in Striders created by Covid.
Changes to routes caused by increased traffic on roads. More use of walkways.
Runners sometimes use the Manawatu Gorge track.
Striders have a uniform.
Local membership was 300 but has dropped to about 150.
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28min
July 16, 2024 Manawatu Conversations Episode 322 - Sue Stirling 1 of 3
Sue Stirling, Part 1 of 3. Taught social studies, geography and history at Awatapu College.
Was also a teacher librarian.
Discovered boxes of school archives which included sports results, photos, newsletters and school magazines.
After retiring Sue wrote the school history 1976 – 2015.
It is a PDF file available from manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz
School’s philosophy was to expand a child’s learning to the best of their ability.
Originally a flat system – no tall poppies. Certificates were presented for participation in activities. No streaming.
The school had several deans and a guidance counsellor.
Later a dux system was introduced.
Awapuni special needs school was integrated with Awatapu College in mid 1990s.
There was strong approval from parents for a school uniform.
Awatapu College had its own board. Most other schools were controlled by the Department of Education.
...more
28min
July 09, 2024 Manawatu Conversations Episode 321 - Andrew Stephens
Andrew Stephens on Men's Sheds. Men’s Sheds started in Australia funded by Australian government
Known as Menzshed, started in Kapiti (Waikanae) in 2010 as a community organisation
Men doing something with their hands. Friendship is important
Many members had moved to a smaller home and didn’t have any tools
140 Menzsheds in NZ now and still growing
Men’s Shed (Menzshed) started in Manawatu in 2011
Was able to access central government funding because of focus on mental health
Kapiti District Council provided an old store shed at Waikanae Beach. This has now been replaced.
Financial help from many sponsors.
Menzshed Manawatu have made coffins for stillborn babies
A member of Manawatu Menzshed has built a laser cutter which will cut wood and plastics.
They make items for other organisations to give as raffle prizes
Made park benches for public areas.
...more
22min
July 02, 2024 Episode 320 - Vicki-Marie Buchanan Part 4 of 4
As a drama teacher at St Marks school she used the Trinity College syllabus as a framework for the year.
Term one and two were spent learning fundamental skills culminating in a performance in term three.
Persuaded by a Trinity College examiner to do FTCL (Fellowship of Trinity College London) which included writing a thesis.
Invited to become an examiner with Trinity College
Took leave from school to travel to London for assessment.
Travelled for five weeks at a time to examine in other countries – India, China, USA, Canada, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia.
Working with Trinity College was a most humbling, enriching, inspirational experience.
Settled in Palmerston North in 2013 and remarried.
A visit to Pike River memorial resulted in her writing a play for the school to perform.
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24min
June 25, 2024 Manawatu Conversations Episode 319 - Vicki-Marie Buchanan Part 3 of 4
After maternity leave she returned to work at Air NZ.
Left Air NZ and worked from home typing for Wellington Regional Council.
Still heavily involved with drama activities and acted in performances with Wellington Operatic Society - The Great Waltz, King and I, Fiddler on the Roof, Gilbert and Sullivan.
Fiddler on the Roof taught her about the Jewish faith.
Taught speech and drama privately.
Studied singing.
Performed in operas – La Traviata, Die Fledermaus, Merry Widow.
Did some TV advertising work.
Worked for Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ)
Taught drama in a private primary school with a limited authority to teach.
Teaching drama highlighted social issues with children.
Huge changes with introduction of the New Zealand Arts Curriculum.
Went to a Trinity College presentation. A new syllabus in a classroom environment was developed.
Secondary schools had good resources but primary schools were the poor relation especially with drama and dance.
Trinity College examiners starting to examine school group dramas.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.
...more
29min
June 18, 2024 Episode 318 - Vicki-Marie Buchanan Part 2 of 4
Left Department of Internal Affairs after six months and joined NAC (National Airways Corporation) administration about 1975. Worked there 13 years.
Reservations and ticketing was a very manual job pre-computers
NAC merged with Air NZ and she got a job as secretary to the supply manager involved with buying and selling aircraft.
Married 1976.
Transferred to Wellington airport as secretary to the district senior pilot and worked with aircrew.
Erebus disaster had a big effect on staff.
Reads Bill Sewell poem ‘Sestina on History and the Snow’
Took maternity leave in 1982.
Husband was made redundant and became a house husband.
Vicki-Marie wanted to go back to work after three months but her job had been given to someone else.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.
...more
29min
June 11, 2024 Episode 317 - Vicki-Marie Buchanan Part 1 of 4
Born in Hamilton and lived in Claudelands until about eight years old.
Developed an interest in drama.
Father was in the Anglican ministry and family shifted to Auckland.
Faith is an important part of her life.
As a baby Vicki was not expected to live so was christened as Vicki-Marie.
Started formal speech and drama lessons in Auckland.
A good rounded childhood.
Took part in a children’s theatre.
Moved to Te Aroha and Matamata, back to Hamilton then to Lower Hutt.
Went to Hutt Valley High School and continued drama with different teachers.
Hutt Valley High School uniform more casual that Hamilton Girls High.
Learned shorthand typing and book keeping. She was more practical than academic.
Sat Trinity College exams. Involved with repertory productions.
Joined Department of Internal Affairs in Bowen State Building, Wellington, as a shorthand typist.
Very much like Roger Hall’s “Gliding On”. Men wore shorts and walk socks.
Partner, Ross, worked in the same area for NZ Forest Service
Went to night school at Polytech for Pitmans and trade certification exams.
In her family, as a child, education and qualifications were important.
...more
28min
June 04, 2024 Episode 316 - Tania Kopytko Part 2
An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.
...more
31min

FAQs about Manawatu Conversations:

How many episodes does Manawatu Conversations have?

The podcast currently has 375 episodes available.