One dozen Canterbury students cycle length of New Zealand to make difference for Kiwi kids

Ruth Greenaway began Tapestries in 2003 so as to work as a freelance oral historian.  The name “Tapestries” came from the Carole King song “Tapestry”.  Ruth loves the concept of life as a tapestry of stories all woven together, inclusive of all people’s, beliefs and traditions.

Since that time Ruth has interviewed about 150 people, created various community oral history projects, recorded family histories and life histories with many individuals and created two documentary films and three radio documentaries for Radio NZ from oral history projects.  Topics have included: peace activism, environmentalism, a history of the Hohepa community, a book on intentional communities, a history of the first environment centre in NZ, memories of the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior, stories of migration to NZ, survival stories from times of war and stories of young Muslim women in NZ.

Some of the people Ruth has interviewed include: the Topp Twins, Keith Locke (former Green MP), Rod Donald (former Green Party Co-leader (deceased), Mahinarangi Tocker(singer (deceased), Lynn Blann (singer), Kate Dewes (Peace Foundation), Rev Alan Brash (World Council of Churches), Bunny McDiarmid (Greenpeace), Rev George Armstrong (founder of the “Peace Squadron” and re-nound for his protests during the 1981 Springbok tour), Mary Woodward (co-founder of the CND in NZ with children’s writer and peace activist – Elsie Locke).

Ruth has received awards for her oral history work including: Sonja Davies award (2005), the Peace Foundation’s Media peace awards (2006) for a documentary film “Tau te Mauri – Breath of Peace’, Zonta Women in business award.

Today Tapestries also combines Ruth’s work as a social researcher, radio/film documentary maker, and consultation with community groups in areas of fundraising and media/communications.

Ruth would like to work more closely with families  – so if you would like to record the story of a loved one to share with future generations – get in touch and discuss your project.  Tapestries can provide a quote for film/ audio/ written work.

For information on past and current projects refer to: www.tapestries.co.nz

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PledgeMe – Help Ruth annotate a 14 hour interview with former Green MP Keith Locke. The project was initially voluntary but now I’d like to submit this to the Alexander Turnbull Library archives.  It will also help Keith write his own story and contribute to a larger history of the Green movement here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Made a pledge.

Tags: History