Biosecurity Border Inspection History Update No. 2
UPDATE - 11 May 2009
A warm welcome to those who have registered an interest in this project since the last update sent out in September last year.
Significant progress has been made during the past six months. Below is a brief outline. Additional resources, information and documentation can be found by visiting our website at www.biosecurity.govt.nz/history.
Efforts to contact those who were previously employed by the Department of Agriculture or the NZ Forest Service and their more recent names, and involved in border quarantine activities (nowadays called biosecurity), have continued. Slowly those registered with an interest in this project have increased. We are aware that many others, including existing staff, have yet to register. If you know of people who may be interested, or able to contribute, now is the time for them to contact us and register.
Again, it must be emphasised that the History of Biosecurity Border Inspection in New Zealand is more than an opportunity to revisit the past. This project will contribute significantly to biosecurity awareness among the general public (as does ‘Border Patrol’ on TV). It will encourage greater personal responsibility for biosecurity within the wider community. As previously pointed out it will also commemorate the past 50 years of effort by many contributors since the formation of the then Port Agriculture Inspection Service (PAIS) in 1960. The project also establishes a repository and research archive for future generations.
Phase One (Oral Histories)
Since mid 2008 a total of 21 people have been interviewed as part of the oral history component of the project, by Megan Hutchings. Megan is a specialist Oral Historian, and published author, with extensive government experience, contracted by the Ministry for Culture & Heritage (MCH) to work with MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.
These oral histories are presently being used for phase two’s research. They will then be deposited in the Alexander Turnbull Library and copies will be available from MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, for loan. Initially access will be co-ordinated through this history project.
Phase Two (Research, Manuscript and Publication)
As previously reported, Dr Gavin McLean and Tim Shoebridge, from the Ministry for Culture & Heritage, History Group, are the authors of the planned manuscript, presently being researched and written. Gavin is New Zealand’s leading maritime historian and has authored more than 40 earlier books. Tim joined MCH last year after four years as a historian at the Waitangi Tribunal. Our authors report:
Chapters 1-3 will average about 8,000 words each and chapters 4 & 5 about 12,000 words each.
The structure is:
Ch 1: Human quarantine before 1939
Ch 2: Plant and animal quarantine before 1939
Ch 3: Plant & animal quarantine between 1939 and 1965 – essentially covering the major regulatory and procedural changes brought by the aviation era, the introduction of Forestry inspection in the late 1940s and the formation of the PAIS.
Ch 4: covers the 1960s to the 1980s
Ch 5: covers the more recent period”
On completion in November this year, and following approval, this manuscript will be offered to publishers for production by August 2010 as a printed book. This date coincides with the formation of the then Port Agriculture Inspection Service and its 50th anniversary mentioned above.
Application for a Commemorative Stamp Issue
The application made to New Zealand Post last year for a commemorative stamp issue is presently under consideration. A favourable decision would be a bonus- keep your fingers crossed.
Your contribution
Finally this is a further plea to support the research work that Gavin and Tim are doing. Photographs, press clippings, old personal documents, memorabilia and any written contributions are sought. Submission details can be found on the website at www.biosecurity.govt.nz/history.
Update No.3 will be sent out early in 2010 once the manuscript is finished and a publisher found.
MAFBNZ History Project Working Party- Kevin Kennett, South Island Manager, MAFBNZ, Christchurch (replacing Fergus Small -retired on 24/12/08)
- Mike Alexander, Auditor, MAF, Head Office, Wellington
- Garry Higgins, Quarantine Inspector, MAFBNZ, Auckland Wharf
- Brian Mooney, Quarantine Inspector, MAFBNZ, Auckland Wharf
- Jaimie Baird, Quarantine Inspector, MAFBNZ, Nelson
Page last updated: 8 September 2009