The Foundation has undertaken an Oral History project in association with the National Library. There are already twenty-six 90-minute interviews of first generation Dutch immigrants and a further 21 tapes of second generation Dutch New Zealanders still to be digitised. The tapes are held by the Alexander Turnbull Library at the National Library in Wellington and you can hear some of the stories by clicking on the links below. These are only a start, and we would like to do more.
We are also able to capture stories through this website. We encourage you to send us interviews with anyone of a Dutch heritage who you think is interesting and who would like to be "recorded for posterity" - it may even be you. Your grandchildren may one day like to hear what it was like for you to travel to New Zealand and how New Zealand has changed since you came - even if it was only 10 years ago.
And if you don't want to do the interview but think someone should talk to someone you know, then please contact us with their story and we can perhaps add them to the oral history project.
Catholic Priest Father Gerard Marie Joseph Haring of Hamilton was born on 16 August 1919 in The Hague, The Netherlands. In this three-part interview Father Haring tells the story of his journey to, and experience of, New Zealand. Read more about Father Haring
Carpenter Godfrey Jansen of Lower Hutt was born in The Netherlands in 1911 and emigrated to New Zealand in 1939. In this two-part interview Godfrey talks about his life in his adopted country. Read more about Godfrey Jansen
Husband and wife Jan and Riet van Schaijik of Christchurch were born in Langenboom, The Netherlands. In this two-part interview they talk about their life in New Zealand. Read more about Jan and Riet van Schaik
Immigrant Peter Gerard Besseling of Porirua was born 1946 in Kolhorn, The Netherlands. In this seven-part interview he talks about his experiences of life after the Netherlands. Read more about Peter Besseling
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