Upper Hutt in the 1960s oral history project

Upper Hutt was proclaimed a city by Governor General Sir Bernard Fergusson on 28 May 1966. The Upper Hutt in the 1960s oral history project was commissioned for the 50th anniversary of Upper Hutt becoming a city. Residents and former residents were interviewed about their memories of Upper Hutt in the '60s.

The interviews cover a wide range of themes, including Upper Hutt’s lively music scene, the 1966 civic status celebrations, the highly successful Māori cultural group Māwai Hakona, the development of Ōrongomai marae, the Hutt River (both a site for recreation and a nuisance that flooded regularly), the joys of Friday night shopping and hanging out in milk bars, and wars over hair length (for boys) and skirt length (girls). Interviewees include Fourmyula musician and songwriter Wayne Mason, Upper Hutt College foundation senior mistress Audrey Harper, musician Sam Southon, Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy, businessman Colin Gibbs, musician and Wellington city councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer, Heemi Kara of Ōrongomai marae, and Māwai Hakona founding members Hine Poa, Grace Nicholls and Adam and Hakirere Langford. 

This page also includes slide shows showcasing excerpts from the interviews, on subjects such as the Upper Hutt popular music scene, domestic life, and Māori in Upper Hutt.