Overview In this interview Harold talks of family education and employment. He goes on to give a detailed account of mutton birding – the life cycle of the birds, their habitat, the process of retrieving them, the preparation of the birds for storage and eating, landing on the rocks to start with and now being helicoptered in. He tells of the accommodation on the Islands and how they have been modernised and the ownership of the Islands. He also discusses the early history and interactions of Māori and...

Overview Reginald Ashwell was born in Bluff in 1914. In this interview, Reginald iscusses his children, parents, grandparents and kaumatua. He mentions that his wife Peg worked in the Bluff Theatre. He talks about being in the army and World War II. Reginald discusses oysters, muttonbirding and the Irwin's (Urwin's) Fishing Company. He talks about the Stewart Island ferries, the harbour and Bluff shops in the 1920s and discusses his hobby of making walking sticks and woodwork.

Overview This interview was recorded as part of the About Us Voices of Southland collection. Jane has lived all her life in Southland and in this interview she tells of her family history; her involvement in mutton birding, the preparation required to go to the Islands and life there. In 1989 Jane was elected to the Ngai Tahu Trust Board which later became Te Rununga o Ngai Tahu. She discusses the settlement results, involvement in conservation projects in Southland and Maori heritage and culture.

Overview Sarah Leitch was born at Colac Bay in 1908. In this interview Sarah describes her schooling and living for some time with the Cootes family of Otaki. She recalls returning home to Southland and working at hotels including the Grand Hotel and the Club Hotel and as a housekeeper for Mrs Lillicrap. Sarah talks about the Depression years and muttonbirding from Big South Cape and Puwai. Describes washing day. She recalls visiting her grandfather Henry Davis at Morven. She describes marrying at the...

Overview Tiny tells of his education from primary through to night class, where he did a carpentry apprenticeship. This lead to employment building Government houses - commercial buildings - country jobs. He goes on to talk in detail about the Mutton Bird Islands, the requirements needed to participate in the mutton bird season e.g. the processing, storage, making of the kelp storage bags, and the cooking of them. He describes in detail the islands, the management and laws relating to them,...

Overview In this interview Michael gives a detailed account of Mutton birding i.e. traveling to the Islands, catching, processing and storage of the birds. Michael speaks of his strong family connections and history in Southland and gives a detailed description of his involvement in tribal affairs i.e. he has been on the board of Te Rununga o Ngai Tahu since 1999. He also gives a history of Ngai Tahu settling in the South. This interview was recorded as part of the About Us Voices of Southland...