As the first major conflict that received the full attention of the media, the Vietnam War produced many compelling images and stories. Some of those powerful images and stories will be on display at Vietnam: Not Just a 12 Month Tour.

The exhibition commemorating New Zealand's Vietnam experience opened in Wellington this week to coincide with Tribute08 during Queen's Birthday Weekend. Tribute08 recognises the contribution and sacrifices of New Zealand's Vietnam War veterans and their families.As the first major conflict that received the full attention of the media, the Vietnam War produced many compelling images and stories. Some of those powerful images and stories will be on display at Vietnam: Not Just a 12 Month Tour.

The exhibition commemorating New Zealand's Vietnam experience opened in Wellington this week to coincide with Tribute08 during Queen's Birthday Weekend. Tribute08 recognises the contribution and sacrifices of New Zealand's Vietnam War veterans and their families.Tribute08 Chairman Chris Mullane says he hopes the highly emotive content of the exhibition will not only document the story of New Zealand's involvement in Vietnam, but also might assist in the healing required for veterans and their families.

"The emotional scars started by this war and compounded by the acrimonious homecoming were followed by decades of continuing public and political denial of the bitter reality of the impact of their service. As well as acknowledging and honouring the post-Vietnam experience, we want the exhibition to be a catalyst to continue the healing journey for veterans and their families."

Curator Luit Bieringa, who previously curated Parade '98 - Vietnam Remembered, in 1998, says the exhibition will take visitors - both veterans and the public - on a historic journey:

"It will background the history of the war and Vietnam's history; the reasons for New Zealand's participation; the political fall-out, both pro and con. However, unlike the 1998 exhibition, this exhibition will put a much stronger emphasis on the effects that New Zealand's participation has had on those who did their professional duty."

The multimedia exhibition will allow visitors to evaluate those experiences through photographic displays, text panels, displays of memorabilia from the period, 1960s and 1970s film footage, a sound environment and information stations including:
-International and New Zealand context of the Vietnam War.
-Units that served in Vietnam, artillery equipment and soldier stories.
-Vietnam "sounds" - helicopters, night noises, Radio Vietnam, forces radio broadcasts.
-Agent Orange and its effects on veterans, their families and the Vietnamese people.
-1960s-70s TV lounge showing newsreels and documentary footage about Vietnam in that era
-as well as reading materials relating to the issues that are at the heart of Tribute08
-Oral histories from Vietnam veterans and their families.
-The Roll of Honour
-A Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed in December 2006 by the Government and the Ex-Vietnam Services
Association (EVSA).

The oral history interviews are part of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage's four-year Vietnam War Oral History Project. The interviews will be archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library's Oral History Centre in Wellington, subject to access conditions agreed by the interviewees.

The second element of the project is the creation of a digital history on the website www.vietnamwar.govt.nz. This will allow veterans,
their families and the wider community to contribute their memories and memorabilia - including photos, letters and diaries - to a digital
history archive.

Tribute08: Will mark a milestone in New Zealand's history, as the first occasion in which Vietnam veterans will receive official recognition of their service. It will also acknowledge that veterans and their families have not been treated fairly in New Zealand since the war ended more than 30 years ago. More than 2000 veterans and their families are expected to attend.

Vietnam: Not Just a 12 Month Tour
Academy of Fine Arts Gallery.
Queens Wharf, Wellington
Thursday 29 May to 8 June.
Open from 10am to 5pm daily.

Related stories:

Online memories of NZ and the Vietnam War

Ka Mate, Ka Ora - Our nations battle cry

Vietnam commemoration on TVNZ

30/05/08