A series of radio documentaries produced by Pat Craddock and Phil Harris for broadcast on National Radio. The six 15-minute programmes cover New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam war, including political, military, medical, aid and protest activities.
[A book entitled "Long Time Passing - New Zealand Memories of the Vietnam War" by author Claire Loftus Nelson was released in association with the series. Archival material from Sound Archives is included in these programmes.]
Part 1: Pat Craddock explains the nature of the war as a civil war and a struggle for independence. Many in New Zealand opposed becoming involved. Hugh Watt, a Labour MP speaks in 1965 about the futility of getting involved and that sending troops only perpetuated the idea that the UN had become ineffective. Nick Turner, who worked for Reuters, gives a historical background to the war and Vietnam’s colonial conflicts. Laurie Barber, professor at the University of Waikato, explains New Zealand’s motivation for entering the war and Sir Leonard Thornton explains why he felt Holyoake’s Government was pressured into sending troops to Vietnam.
Part 2:[16:00] Archival recording of Prime Minister Keith Holyoake talking in 1965 about the nature of the war and the threat communism posed to New Zealand. Chris Turver, a young journalist, talks about the first New Zealand operations in Vietnam. He recalls troops listening to Hanoi Hannah, seeing the first New Zealanders of the war killed by mines and the political corruption. John Ross, second at charge at New Zealand's embassy in Saigon, recalls a diplomatic incident at a party in Saigon. Chaplain and historian Laurie Barber recalls witnessing the defeatism and drafting of orphans when visiting South Vietnamese military camps.
Part 3: [31:00] Several unidentified New Zealand soldiers talk about their reasons for volunteering to go to Vietnam: better pay, adventure, a chance to go overseas. Ian Beker talks about the use and care of his machine gun and training Vietnamese soldiers. Gary Shields, a radio operator, recalls his first contact with ‘Charlie’. Major Laurie Pilling was in charge of training soldiers in the Delta region, but said they just didn’t want to fight. Young soldiers quickly discovered the critical Vietnamese attitudes towards the war and the foreigners helping to fight it.
Part 4: [46:00] Archival recording of unidentified doctors and nurses talk about the conditions in which they treated the wounded. Peter Eccles Smith, leader of a New Zealand surgical team, discusses the slum-like and crowded conditions and heavy workload in the hospitals. Nurse Jessie Waugh wanted children to grow up with good healthcare and made efforts to teach basic healthcare and hygiene. Daphne, a Chinese-New Zealand nurse, recalls being singled out for a luggage check and suspected of being Viet Cong. Jessie Waugh talks about her feelings towards the women she encountered who frequented brothels to make their living.
Part 5: [01:01:01] Archival interviews with New Zealanders involved in anti-war protests in New Zealand. Cath Kelly discusses on her protesting history, why she opposed the war. She recalls [Henry] Cabot Lodge [U.S. ambassador to South Vietnam] coming to New Zealand and the growing protest movement in New Zealand. An unidentified man who was keen to fight in Vietnam, speaks about opposing anti-war speakers like Tim Shadbolt and flag-burning rallies in Auckland's Albert Park. Cath Kelly recalls the beginning of the Democratic Society. Don Carson talks about how the protest movement and public scepticism in New Zealand affected the victories in Vietnam.
Part 6: [01:01:16] An unidentified man talks about how media coverage of the horrors of the war led to the US wanting to leave and a lower morale among the opposing Vietnamese forces. Vu Van Su, a Vietnamese refugee, talks about escaping Saigon. An unidentified New Zealand woman talks about refugees arriving into a new land and culture. Veteran Gary Shields and his wife Judy recall Gary’s difficulties in fitting into civilian life, talking about Vietnam and his experiences with stress and mental problems. Margaret Van Rooyen describes her husband’s behaviour when he returned and their struggles to pay for his therapy.