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stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Stephen Clarke
@stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
1.2K followers 2.4K following 1.4K posts
History Squire for Hire.
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Stephen Clarke @stephenclarkenz.bsky.social · 26d
'Fools' said I, 'You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you'
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence.

In the natural order of life going home to Dunedin tomorrow to support Dad (and Mum) x
Me (4 1/2 years) little Bro (six weeks) and Dad (23) outside our flat at 100A Pitt Street, Palmerston North in March 1973. The verse is from 'The Sounds of Silence', verse four track one Simon & Garfunkel Sounds of Silence album (1965), which held a strong presence in the vinyl collection alongside Peter, Paul and Mary and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Meri Kirihimete Ōtepoti 🎄
A tough departure tonight and for Dad’s sake I’m hoping I won’t need to be back before 2026 but if need be I’m back here in an instant!
November 26, 2025 at 6:13 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Unfortunately I arrive back in Auckland too late tonight to attend my old school mate @craigrobertson.bsky.social’s book launch but if you’re in Tāmaki Makaurau tonight pop into Real Groovy and celebrate the launch of the new Chris Knox biography. 🍻 #nzmusic #nzbooks #books #auckland
November 25, 2025 at 6:38 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Confirmation from the wee guy (actually he’s 12 now and this photo was when he was six) that after a domestic sabbatical he’s keen to play Tags, Sevens and probably the XV game too next year in Year 8 for his Henderson Intermediate as well as basketball and netball. #TwentyTwentySix 🏉
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
A big day in the old town today. #DunedinWritersWalk
November 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
We need to tip our hats to Hills Hats for protecting New Zealanders’ heads in peace and war for 150 years and their government and corporate clients should be making one-off gifts in appreciation of the past and to secure their future. www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
‘Last roll of the dice’: 150-year-old family business crowdfunds to survive Wellington’s ‘freefall’
Its clients have included the Government, Air New Zealand and the All Blacks, while Lady Gaga, Willie Nelson and Tāme Iti are among its high-profile fans.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Last weekend in the old home town. Have a good weekend everyone.🍻
#TGIF #Dunedin #Ōtepoti

Six o'clock closing, George Street, Dunedin. Saturday, November 1952
(and November 2025)
Six o'clock closing, George Street, Dunedin. Saturday, November 1952 Production Gary Blackman; photographer; 1952; New Zealand Classification gelatin silver prints, black-and-white prints, vintage prints, black-and-white photographs, works of art Materials photographic gelatin, silver, photographic paper Materials Summary black and white photograph, gelatin silver print Techniques black-and-white photography Dimensions Image: 330mm (width), 215mm (height) Registration Number O.030385 Credit line Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Purchased 2006
November 21, 2025 at 4:29 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Kids, so 40 years ago this month if you were nice and not naughty during 6th Form (Y12) you got UE accredited and the prize of a tramp in the Southern Alps. We got an extra day in the Rees Valley due to flooding but the boys’ spirits were raised by the arrival of the charming Peta Carey (Spot On!)
November 19, 2025 at 3:33 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Dinnae forget to eat yer parritch! 🥣 #ExtraCreamyScotchOatsForMe #Dunedin www.odt.co.nz/business/oat...
Oat mill to get $11m renovation
Dunedin oat miller Harraway & Sons is giving its existing facility an $11 million facelift. Shareholders agreed to invest the money over the next...
www.odt.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 2:55 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
100 years ago today the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition opened in Dunedin as captured by A P Godber. Billed as ‘The Greatest Spectacle Ever Held in the Dominion!’ this was no hype with 3.2M visitors it remains the largest public event in New Zealand history. #TheBigShow #Dunedin
Panorama at the opening of the Dunedin Exhibition taken by Albert Percy Godber on 17 November 1925. APG-1050/1051-1/2-G, Godber, Albert Percy, 1875-1949 : Collection of albums, prints and negatives. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
November 16, 2025 at 8:52 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Harold ‘Hec’ Browett (1934–2025) www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin... past pupil and my Economics teacher at King’s High School, Dunedin. In 2006, I had the pleasure to reconnect on the trip to London for the dedication of the NZ Memorial (here sharing his infectious laugh with PM Helen Clark) RIP Hec
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Ahead of England v All Blacks at Twickenham the coin tossed 100 years ago in the last game of the tour of the Home Nations on 3 Jan 1925. So the story goes Referee Albert Freethy came onto the field coinless so All Blacks party member D G Gray, of Dunedin, quickly lent him a florin. #ENGvNZL #rugby
1925 'Winning Toss' Florin; The Royal Mint; 1921; B195 New Zealand Rugby Museum Spun in the air at London's revered Twickenham rugby ground on 3 January 1925, this 'lucky' florin won the toss for the New Zealand 'Invincibles' team in their victorious match against England. It seems referee Albert Freethy and team captains Jock Richardson (New Zealand) and Wavell Wakefield (England) came onto the field without a coin. Fortunately, an All Blacks supporter DG Gray of Dunedin was seated nearby and lent them a florin. So thrilled that his coin was used in the All Blacks 17-11 win, Gray later had it embossed with a fern on one side and a rose on the other. The coin came out of retirement in 1987, and has been used ever since for the toss in opening games of the Rugby World Cup. https://ehive.com/collections/3189/objects/45072/1925-winning-toss-florin
November 14, 2025 at 10:41 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
“Why are they trying to reframe this history? We need to grapple with it.”

– Leah Bell

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘Reframes history’: fears Māori knowledge diluted in plan to revise New Zealand curriculum
Minister rejects claims Māori history is being sidelined in rewrite which includes cutting some references to the Treaty of Waitangi
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:40 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Whatcha gonna do on a sunny Friday avo in Dunedin? #StClair
November 14, 2025 at 5:20 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
100 years ago today ‘New Zealand's Girl Athletes: Scenes at the Inter-House Sports in Auckland on November 14’.

So many questions about this event but if run again today I’m feeling it’s a run-off between Briscoes and Farmers! (My bet would be on Briscoe Group strengthened by Rebel Sports)
Auckland Weekly News, 19 November 1925, p. 43. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19251119-43-01
November 13, 2025 at 10:47 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Saddened to hear of the death of former Chief Archivist Stephen Clarke. Aroha nui to the Clarke whānau.
November 13, 2025 at 7:41 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Black Window – Towards Aramoana by Ralph Hotere (1981)

35 years ago tonight I vividly remember the stream of ambulances and police cars speeding past my flat in George Street heading to the Otago Harbour settlement of Aramoana where 13 were killed by a lone shooter. #BlackDay
Black Window – Towards Aramoana. Ralph Hotere, 1981. Medium oil on hardboard in window frame Dimensions 1095 x 907 x 55 mm Credit line Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1981 Accession no C1994/1/78
November 13, 2025 at 2:50 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Long time listener to the plaudits of colleagues and so this morning became a first time caller to Hard To Find bookshop in Dowling Street and could not resist this fine signed hard copy by my mentor and friend, and an upgrade on my original softcover from the 1980s. #Dunedin #books #Otago #history
November 13, 2025 at 1:38 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming and Officer B. That’s right, all creepy as fuck! #BoysInBlue #Ick
November 12, 2025 at 5:07 AM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
The King dethroned himself! #IAmHopeless #TheGriftIsDead #LongLiveRealMentalHealthProviders www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Mike King steps down as chief executive of mental health charity I Am Hope Foundation
The outspoken founder of the mental health charity says it's time for the organisation to have a new voice and a new vision to take it forward.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 12, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Reposted by Stephen Clarke
acgeddis.bsky.social
Mark Mitchell on RNZ Morning Report saying "just a few bad apples, rest of the Police are all goods". But the IPCA doesn't really seem to agree with this assessment?
In our view, the reason these features came to the fore in this investigation can be found in certain aspects of Police culture – a culture which is deeply rooted in the history, traditions and practices of law enforcement agencies in all jurisdictions comparable to New Zealand. This culture emphasises the importance of hierarchy. It fosters a positive group ethos; promotes a strong sense of collegiality and loyalty to colleagues; rewards those who support the organisation and protect it from external criticism; and thus helps to maintain organisational solidarity.
November 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
I was living in Australia in 1995 and the Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service (Wood Royal Commission) and these revelations reveal our own underbelly.
#RoyalCommission #NZPolice
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
“The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry — it just gets dirtier.”

— Frank Serpico (Serpico, 1973)

Revealed: The senior cops who exposed the Jevon McSkimming police 'cover-up' www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Revealed: The senior cops who exposed the Jevon McSkimming police 'cover-up'
The watchdog that found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police also commended the work of several police staff who stood up. Here's who they are.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 11, 2025 at 9:09 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Hello, hello, hello, he would say that!

The only way we can find out and restore public trust in law enforcement is a full and independent Royal Commission of Inquiry, not more Police pinky promises.

Commissioner denies systemic failure within NZ Police www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
There was a cover-up, but those cops are gone, police boss says
A report from the Independent Police Conduct Authority has detailed how police failed to adequately investigate allegations against a top officer.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 11, 2025 at 8:36 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
Please hold we have the previous Police Commissioner on the line . . . www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Tell us: are you a New Zealander planning to leave the country?
We want to hear from people in New Zealand who have or are thinking of leaving
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
stephenclarkenz.bsky.social
🚨 Inside a 'cover-up': The top cops, the 'quasi investigation' and the officers who stood up www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Inside a 'cover-up': The top cops, the 'quasi investigation' and the officers who stood up
A watchdog has found serious misconduct at the highest levels of Police over how it handled accusations of sexual offending by former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM