The 1970s Commune Movement 

Paul Callister from Paekakariki is the Kapiti Historical Society’s June speaker. He will be talking about the 1970s Ohu Commune Movement: its rise and fall.

  • Tuesday 9 June.
  • Starting at 7.30pm.
  • In the Kapiti Uniting Church Hall – Weka Road, Raumati Beach.
  • Everyone is welcome / a koha would be appreciated.

“New Zealand has a long history of intentional communities or communes. But we are unusual in once having a government-sponsored scheme to establish them. The Ohu movement came about in 1973 under the initial sponsorship of Prime Minister Norman Kirk.

As a brief participant, and later through the eyes of a social science researcher, I will explore some reasons for their rise and eventual failure.

As a New Zealand based economist, I undertook research on local, national, and cross-national issues for a wide range of public, private sector and voluntary organisations. 

I am now retired but volunteer for a number of community-based organisations.”

Thanks to our May speaker Jock Phillips

Jock discussed seven objects from his book A History of New Zealand in 100 Objects which have a significant connection to the Kapiti coast or the Wellington province.  They include several items which tell of the early settlement of the area, two from close-by which highlight the fascinating history of sewing, and finally two 20th century items with local links – the baton of Levin farmer and scholar Leslie Adkin and the country’s first working television set.His stories covered an amazing amount of the country’s history and were enjoyed by the audience of 40.
 We may well ask Jock to cover seven more next year.

Speaking in July

Railways authority Bruce Taylor will be talking about provincial and inter-city passenger rail travel from 1950.

Helping the Kapiti Historical Society

If anyone could assist the KHS in the future, for example with getting posters out and purchasing vouchers, it would be much appreciated. 

We hope to see you at Paul Callister’s talk on 9 June.

Roger Childs, Gordon Dickson, David Hadfield