Nostalgia Recorded In Photographs (Press, 19 April 1988)

Michael King, a historian and author, reflects on the pivotal years of 1956 and 1968 as significant milestones in New Zealand's history within the context of his new book, "After The War: New Zealand Since 1945," published in April 1988. He expresses a personal connection to 1956, the year of the Springbok rugby tour, which he recalls fondly as a moment of national pride. For him, it encapsulated the charisma and fervour of New Zealand rugby culture. He associates 1968 with a time of global social upheaval, including student protests against the Vietnam War and the tragic sinking of the Wahine ferry, marking a period of questioning authority and pushing for social change among the youth. King's book chronicles social change in New Zealand from 1945 to 1987, enriched with a photographic history that he likens to a nostalgic rerun of an old film. He emphasises that this timeframe is significant for many New Zealanders, representing a collective memory shared by those alive during those years. The book features notable historical figures, events, and memories ranging from the Tangiwai disaster and the Mount Erebus air crash to more positive recollections like royal tours and famous personalities. Drawing distinctions between attitudes in the 1940s and 1950s and those emerging in the 1960s, King argues that the earlier decades reflected pre-war thinking, while the 1960s brought exposure to global issues through various mediums, shifting young people's perspectives on societal values and norms. He notes the emergence of counter-cultures, changes in youth culture, and increased vocalisation of societal issues driven by the protests of that decade. He acknowledges that the realities of the 1980s show many of the free-spirited youth of the 1960s have transitioned into conventional roles within society. Despite this evolution, he contends that the radical social changes of the 1960s laid the groundwork for significant movements in the following decades, such as Māori identity, conservation efforts, and reforms in various social issues. King is cautious when discussing the future of New Zealand's social structure, noting that historians often struggle to forecast accurately. He highlights the possibility of either resolving ongoing challenges or facing irreversible damage to the social fabric of the country. Throughout his career, King has transitioned from newspaper journalism to an author focused on Māori issues and history. He notes that while he did not originally intend to specialise in Māori history, the interest from Māori communities prompted him to write various works, although he ultimately decided against continuing in that direction to avoid conflict. He reinforces the importance of allowing Māori voices to take charge of their own history while also advocating that non-Māoris should not be entirely excluded from the narrative. Currently, King is engaged in further projects, including a biography of Peter Fraser and a study of the Chatham Islands, affirming that writing remains central to his career, whether through journalism or authorship.

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