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Spectrum was a long-running weekly radio documentary series which captured the essence of New Zealand from 1972 to 2016. Alwyn Owen and Jack Perkins produced the series for many years, creating a valuable library of New Zealand oral history.
Owen farewells Harry Parry MBE, Justice of the Peace, public benefactor of Northland and Auckland, postmaster, kauri bushman and man of multiple other talents.
The documentary begins in the Warkworth Hills above the Mahurangi Harbour where he was born on the 26th of December 1886. Parry shares a detailed history of the area before they travel on to the school he attended until he was about 12 years old, Mahurangi College.
Frank Winslett, 76 and his dogs, who farm the adjoining property joins them, and the elderly gentlemen have a friendly conversation.
The two men drive down the hill to Pukapuka where Parry’s batch stands solid after 100 years. They head outside after a cup of tea to observe the dairy factory Parry helped build and operate, and visit his private museum adjacent to the batch. Parry explains each item in turn. He talks about pit sawing work before the conversation turns to Parry’s gum-digger days, and then he returns to items in the museum.
Next, they stop at the Pukapuka Cemetery which Parry helped establish. His only sister, Gwendoline, is buried there along with his wife and parents. At Parry Kauri Park they look at the McKinney Kauri, and Owen explains how the park came about and describes Parry’s involvement.
Parry speaks of living a full life and feeling satisfied with all the things he’s done in his lifetime.
Announcer’s outro by Stephen Riley.