About the Vietnam War Oral History Project

The Vietnam War Oral History Project is the hub for memories of New Zealand and the Vietnam War. It is being run by the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, and funded through the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding between the Crown and representatives of Vietnam veterans groups.

The 4-year project comprises the collection of oral history interviews and the creation of a website or digital history archive. The website, together with the oral history interviews, will be used to develop educational resources and other historical material on New Zealand's involvement in Vietnam.

Oral history interviews

The collection of oral histories of veterans and their families was identified as one of the key elements in the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding between the Crown and representatives of Vietnam veterans groups. It was considered vital to record the stories of these people in order to get a personal record of New Zealand's involvement in Vietnam.

The interviews are being recorded by professional oral historians based around New Zealand. The interviews are archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library's Oral History Centre in Wellington. Use of the interviews is subject to access conditions agreed by the interviewees.

Website or digital history archive

The project includes the creation of a digital history archive or website. Veterans, their families and the wider community can directly contribute their memories and memorabilia such as photos, letters, or diaries. The website also includes extracts from the oral history interviews. The website was launched in mid 2008, initially using extracts from oral history interviews and memoirs submitted by veterans.

Project team

Contact us: info@vietnamwar.govt.nz

Gareth Phipps (site administrator)

Jamie Mackay (technical oversight, web pages)

Neill Atkinson (editing, historical advice)

Ian McGibbon (historical advice)

Jean Sergent-Shadbolt (media resources)

Steve Watters (educational resources)

Signify (web pages)

The project team acknowledges the advice and expertise of the BBC's People's War project team, particularly Kath Campbell.