In an earlier article we looked at how structured interviews from the mid-1900s could be a first-hand, or nearly first-hand, record of the migration journeys and early days in New Zealand of our ancestors.
Oral history isn’t just a matter of discovering the oldest recordings available. Recording it is an ongoing opportunity, and you can continue to preserve personal memories, cultural traditions and stories that might otherwise be lost. This is richly rewarding, and can be a great way of introducing younger folk into their family history.
We are fortunate in New Zealand that the National Oral History Association of New Zealand (NOHANZ) is very active in making resources available for everyone to use.
Before you dive in
Define your goals
Before you start recording, it’s important to identify what you hope to achieve. Are you focusing on a particular event, such as migration, childhood experiences or family traditions? Setting clear objectives helps you frame your questions and choose which family members to interview.
You might want to have several interviews with the same person, each on a different theme, or interviews with different people on the same topic.
Think about the wider purpose of your oral history project. Is it just for personal or family archives, or is it for community heritage or as a contribution to broader research collections? Will you be lodging the recording, an abstract/summary or a full transcript in a repository? Think about which one, and why you would make that choice.
Prepare thoughtful questions
Effective oral history relies on open-ended questions that encourage storytelling rather than simple yes/no answers. For example, instead of asking, “Did your family migrate to New Zealand?” you might ask, “Can you tell me about the circumstances that led your family to come to New Zealand?”
You could prepare a topic guide with key areas to explore such as childhood, work, schooling, migration experiences, cultural practices or memorable family events. But don’t be too rigid in sticking to the script — allowing interviewees to digress often leads to unexpected and rich narratives. NOHANZ has sample questions for a life history interview that you can adapt for your particular situation.
Choose the right equipment
High-quality recordings are easier to preserve and share. You don’t need professional equipment, as modern smartphones or digital recorders are sufficient if placed correctly. You should test your device, using an external microphone if possible, and choose a quiet environment to reduce background noise. Ensure your interviewee can hear themselves and is comfortable with the setup.
Obtain informed consent
This is essential. Ethics are central to oral history. You should explain to the person being interviewed how the recordings will be used, whether they might be shared publicly and how the interviewee can withdraw permission if they wish. You should prepare a simple written consent form so there is no misunderstanding later on.
Conduct the interview
Start with warm-up conversation to build trust. Encourage your interviewee to speak naturally, and follow up on interesting points with gentle prompts. Silence is okay; people often reflect before offering meaningful stories. You should be an active listener, working as both a facilitator and recorder and not an interrogator.
After the interview
Save your recordings in multiple formats and back them up. Transcribing the interview can make your work more accessible for general interest and research, but this is very time-consuming and must be done carefully to avoid losing the interviewee’s “voice”.
Store the interview and any summary or transcript in a repository if that’s what you’ve decided to do. Subject to the interviewee’s consent, you might share highlights with family members to help keep memories alive for future generations.
Resources
The NOHANZ resources page includes recording agreement templates, explanatory notes, sample interview forms, privacy guidelines and other practical documents for oral history projects.
Past issues of the NOHANZ journal Oral History in New Zealand are online, offering examples, theory, methodology and case studies you can learn from.
The National Library has good advice and resource material on oral history.
Before transcribing an oral history interview, read a guide such as this one.
Conclusion
Recording your family’s oral history is more than just capturing stories — it is a way to connect generations, preserve culture and understand personal and collective histories. With proper preparation and careful use of resources and guidelines, you can ensure that your family’s memories are documented respectfully, ethically and meaningfully. These oral histories become a treasured resource, offering insight into lives lived, decisions made and experiences passed down across generations.