H0206 Michael Joseph Hartstonge

Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen

Abstracter: Linda Cooper

First Interview: 3 July 2014

DISC 1: TRACK 1

00:00 Interview identification

00:20 Michael Joseph Hartstonge, born in 1977

00:28 Interview agreement

01:13 Lived in SOUTHLAND most of life – born in WINTON (N.Z.) – raised in low socio-economic area in SOUTH INVERCARGILL – family of six, “two brothers and a sister, dog, cat, et cetera” – enjoyed upbringing – more of a community compared with rich part of town

01:51 Moved to NORTH INVERCARGILL halfway through intermediate school – went to BOYS’ HIGH [SOUTHLAND BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL] – PARENTS SEPARATED – moved into GLENGARRY area

02:35 Spent time in QUEENSTOWN doing PLUMBING APPRENTICESHIP – small stint up in WELLINGTON – had time off after breaking kneecap [INJURIES]

02:50 [INJURIES] Explains accident that resulted in broken kneecap in GORE (N.Z.). References: CAR; TRAILER; SAFETY CHAIN – rebroke it later at SOUTHERN STEEL game [NETBALL]

03:47 Self spent time in WELLINGTON during time off due to broken kneecap [INJURIES] – had trained there during apprenticeship

03:55 From there started as an inspector [BUILDING INSPECTOR] on the INVERCARGILL CITY COUNCIL BUILDING CONSENTS TEAM – interesting role – “not everyone’s cup of tea” – likes technical side of things – crawling through floor spaces as a plumber wasn’t going to last forever [INJURIES] – started as an inspector very young – dealing with older TRADESPEOPLE and having to explain the law was challenging – matured quickly – moved up to TEAM LEADER of division – misses going out to sites [BUILDING INSPECTIONS] but likes the management side of things. Explains. References: CONSENTS DIVISION; BUILDING CONSENTS TEAM; ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE; CUSTOMER SERVICE; PUBLIC OPINION; LIVELIHOOD OF TRADESPEOPLE; PROFIT MARGINS OF TRADESPEOPLE; QUALITY OF WORK; HOMEOWNERS’ INTERESTS

06:09 Work with SOUTH ALIVE COMMUNITY GROUP [SOUTH INVERCARGILL URBAN REJUVENATION CHARITABLE TRUST (SOUTH ALIVE)] started Valentine’s Day, February 2012 – a good learning curve regarding community development and voluntarism – coming from SOUTH INVERCARGILL, had seen the divide between “the south of the tracks people and the north of the tracks” – good opportunity during work time to help them out and learn through it. Explains. References: COUNCIL WORKERS; SENIOR MANAGEMENT; PRECONCEPTIONS; REFUSALS; SELF-QUESTIONING; COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION; COMMUNITY INPUT; ATTITUDE SHIFT; OPENNESS

08:57 With self as go-between between council and group [SOUTH ALIVE COMMUNITY GROUP], and JANETTE [JANETTE MALCOLM] as the facilitator, there’s been a little bit of change in the council. Explains. References: REFUSALS; RATIONALES; ALTERNATIVES

09:35 [Work with SOUTH ALIVE COMMUNITY GROUP] has been energizing. Explains involvement. References: TIME COMMITMENT; VOLUNTEERING; PHOTOCOPYING; SETTING UP AND RUNNING INITIAL WEBSITE – [SOUTH ALIVE] now has got some funding to set up a website, just a little administration work needed

10:24 Involved in establishing DOG PARK [ELLES ROAD DOG PARK] – [DOG PARK] voted among top ten things at community meeting in April 2013 – groups set up at a PUBLIC MEETING a few weeks later – being a dog owner, aligned with project – got appointed coordinator. Explains process. References: GROUP EXPANSION; VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT; NETWORKING

11:49 Started contacting different DOG GROUPS to boost numbers and demonstrate demand to council. Explains. References: SLED DOG CLUB GROUP [SOUTHLAND SLED DOG ASSOCIATION]; [VETERINARY?] ASSOCIATION [NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY ASSOCIATION]; AGILITY CLUB [SOUTHLAND DOG TRAINING CLUB]; GUIDE DOG users from BLIND ASSOCIATION; KENNEL CLUB out at KENNINGTON [SOUTHLAND KENNEL ASSOCIATION]; GUNDOG CLUB [SOUTHLAND GUNDOG CLUB]

12:42 Group of up to 25 people did really good job for a voluntary organisation – self coordinated meetings, set tasks – a few hurdles with CITY COUNCIL [INVERCARGILL CITY COUNCIL]. Explains. References: TOWN BELT MANAGEMENT PLAN; OPPOSITION; BLOGS; NEGATIVITY – it’s been good to prove those perceptions wrong – BENCHMARK SURVEYS done to show change to council and reassure volunteers they are making a difference – first couple of years are honeymoon period

14:43 Negative publicity about the SOUTH ALIVE group with the changes proposed in the SOUTH CITY

15:00 [End of Track 1]

DISC 1: TRACK 2

00:00 [About growing up on WAIAU PLACE (KINGSWELL, SOUTH INVERCARGILL)] Lived on cul de sac with small kindergarten [CLARENDON KINDERGARTEN] at the end – CLARENDON PRIMARY SCHOOL [?] was right over the back fence – used to play at school playground and right in the street – now things are totally different. Explains. References: DRIVING SPEED; RISK-AVERSE

01:16 GRANDPARENTS lived in GLENGARRY at corner of CARNARVON STREET and CONWAY CRESCENT – [after moving to GLENGARRY] memories came back. Explains. References: CHRISTMAS; 1980S; COUSINS; EXTENDED FAMILY

02:28 Moved into CRAWFORD STREET in 1993 or 1994, in 6th or 7th form – at the time, had opinion of GLENGARRY because of ESTATE HOUSING – two-storey flats – east end of CRAWFORD STREET was really nice housing – friendly neighbours, quiet street, other kids around same age – [STAR?] RUGBY CLUB just around corner – practiced kicking goals there [SPORT & RECREATION]

03:47 GLENGARRY going through negative period then – people associate GLENGARRY with the gang tensions on LITHGOW STREET [CRIME AND CRIMINALS], not the MOVIE SET for “THE WORLDS FASTEST INDIAN” [FILMMAKING]

04:55 CRAWFORD STREET next-door neighbours retired people close to 80 – mother had good relationships with them

05:36 Games played on street included DRIVEBACK played with a RUGBY BALL [SPORT & RECREATION]

06:13 Bought house on CARNARVON STREET in 2012 – at the time lived in the country, in a big 2004 house with a mortgage – these days people build ridiculously big houses. Discusses. References: COMPARISON WITH OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; HEATING; CLEANING – living comfortably is preferable to extravagant house without a decent lifestyle – having had two kids, was mindful of getting rid of mortgage and putting money into raising a good family

07:22 [Previous] house took quite a while to sell – Discusses requirements in search for current house. References: MOVE-IN READY; MODERATE SECTION; DOG-FRIENDLY – House [on CARNARVON STREET] fitted the bill. References: SIZE; HEATING; LOCAL AMENITIES; SHOPPING CENTERS; FUEL STATIONS – CARNARVON STREET neighbourhood well looked after – no hesitation about moving into GLENGARRY – [GANG ISSUES on] LITHGOW STREET still at back of mind, but safety-wise, knew it was a safe place to raise kids – past was the past

09:10 Finds living there good – really good neighbours on all sides. Explains. References: WELCOMING; CONNECTIONS; RELATIONSHIPS; CHATTING; COMMON INTERESTS; LONG-STANDING NEIGHBOURS

10:10 Doesn’t think children will have the same kind of CHILDHOOD in this neighbourhood that self had because of the times we live in. Explains. References: INDOORS; XBOX (VIDEO GAMES); MOBILE PHONES; ELECTRONIC AGE

10:56 Regarding involvement in COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES & EVENTS like GLENGARRY MARKET and FIRE AND LIGHT FESTIVAL [FIRE & LIGHT MIDWINTER FESTIVAL]: likes to support community, bring a little culture to the kids, have a bit of fun – from experience at SOUTH ALIVE, knows the time and energy put into it – getting more people to go is a way to help the community as well [PUBLICITY & PROMOTION]

12:02 Immediate neighbours feel strongly about their community. Explains. References: POSITIVE COMMENTS; PRIDE; GOODWILL

12:51 Inquires into interviewer’s vision of the area and whether LIGHTS AND SOUND [FIRE & LIGHT MIDWINTER FESTIVAL] been a good thing for the area

13:02 Refers to newspaper article about the use of SURREY PARK GROUNDS [SURREY PARK DEVELOPMENT PLAN] – “bring it on, put another attraction in the area” – expresses need for community asset that people would use

14:03 Regarding community assets, SKATE PARK [INVERCARGILL SKATE PARK] is not self’s cup of tea, not to say it’s a bad idea. Discusses. References: COST OF CONSTRUCTION; YOUTH; RECREATION; NAYSAYERS; INCLUSIVENESS – “if you’ve got people out there using outdoor facilities, I say go for it”

15:00 [End of Track 2]

DISC 1: TRACK 3

00:00 Discusses group meetings with SOUTH ALIVE talking to AURORA COLLEGE students [YOUTH; RECREATION; ENRICHMENT]. References: MUNICIPAL PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS; YOUTH – Mentions opinion of CRAIG POCOCK [of POCOCK DESIGN ENVIRONMENT] – teens hang out at RUSSELL SQUARE playground because that’s all there is for them – intimidates some families – council should do something to cater to that market, “the in-betweens who get a little lost and wayward.” Explains. References: SPORTS; MUSEUM

01:20 One other thing self would add concerns those TWO-STOREY FLATS [HOUSING DEVELOPMENT] – saw newspaper article about developer interested in buying them – [interviewer elaborates on background] – “if that other center hadn’t built it into a VELODROME, it would be a lot more viable”

02:08 With the success of BUPA [BUPA NZ; CARE HOMES AND RETIREMENT VILLAGES] over here, wonders whether they could re-brand [GLENGARRY] as not only family-friendly but also older-people-friendly, having core facilities, except for a BANK – Talks about closure of banks [BANKS AND BANKING]

03:17 [End of Track 3]