Remembering and Becoming: Oral History in Aotearoa New Zealand, edited by Anna Green and Megan Hutching, is a compelling and insightful collection of essays that underscores the significance of oral history as a vital tool in understanding the complex and multifaceted nature of Aotearoa New Zealand’s past. The book addresses the ways personal narratives, captured through interviews, offer a deeper and more nuanced perspective of history. It’s a perspective that challenges conventional historical assumptions and highlights voices often overlooked in traditional written accounts.
The essays, contributed by a diverse range of oral historians and academics, including Robyn Andrews, Helena Cook, Deborah Dunsford, and Margaret Kawharu, among others, span a broad spectrum of themes. These include ethnicity, culture, class, gender, sexuality, age, family, war, and the Treaty of Waitangi, offering a comprehensive view of New Zealand’s social and historical fabric. The contributors bring unique perspectives to the table, drawing from their varied backgrounds and expertise, enriching the dialogue surrounding oral history. Through their work, they demonstrate how oral history enables us to access a range of voices and experiences, often marginalised or excluded from the written record, allowing for a richer, more diverse understanding of the past.
One of the most significant strengths of Remembering and Becoming is its accessibility. While the subject matter is deep and academic, the authors' writing is engaging and accessible to a wide range of readers. The collection emphasises that oral history is not just an academic pursuit but a vital means of preserving and transmitting the lived experiences of individuals and communities. This book serves not only as a scholarly resource but also as a valuable tool for anyone interested in exploring New Zealand's history through the eyes of those who lived it.
The editors’ introduction offers a response to a challenge posed in a 2004 publication, which argued that while oral history is flourishing within communities, it has not been sufficiently incorporated into the broader field of historical inquiry.
Remembering and Becoming rises to this challenge by framing oral history as an essential lens through which we can understand not just events, but the human experiences and emotions that shape those events. In this regard, the book makes a significant contribution to the field, advocating for a more holistic approach to history that embraces subjective and emotional dimensions alongside objective facts.
The collection is organised into five streams of memory and oral studies: Māori, community, commissioned, academic, and activist histories. These categories provide structure to the book while also reflecting the diversity of approaches to oral history in Aotearoa New Zealand. Topics covered include the experiences of Anglo-Indians in New Zealand, the role of the Polynesian Panthers in the 1970s, the history of children in care, and the impact of war, particularly the Gallipoli campaign, on collective memory. These essays illustrate how oral history allows us to peel back the layers of mainstream historical narratives and uncover perspectives that might otherwise be lost.
Ultimately, Remembering and Becoming reminds us of the power of storytelling in preserving history. In an era dominated by fast-paced media and digital communication, the book celebrates the enduring relevance of oral history as a tool for commemoration and understanding. It challenges us to think critically about our own interpretations of the past and encourages us to listen to the diverse voices that make up our shared history. For future generations, this collection will serve as an invaluable resource, offering a human-centred view of Aotearoa New Zealand’s history, rich with emotion, reflection, and the complexity of lived experience.
Reviewer: Chris Reed
Otago University Press