In 1943, Wairarapa was home to two battalions of U.S. Marines. Who were these Marines, where did they come from, and what impact did they have on our community?
Mark Pacey recently authored the book Our New Zealand Home (Gosson Publishing) which tells the story of these young men who lived in Wairarapa for seven months. Gosson (www.gosson.co.nz) is an independent publisher set up in 2015 when Pacey published Grand Pharmacies, the first of his 11 books.
Pacey studied history and defence studies at Massey University and has always had an interest in the past. For that reason his work at the Wairarapa Archive since 2018 seems to be a perfect fit.
“My job at the archive is to help the public with their enquiries,” he said. “I am one of the first contacts for researchers coming to the reading room which I run in the afternoons while dealing with other enquiries as well as general archival matters in the mornings. My job takes in the outreach aspects of the Wairarapa Archive in which I give public presentations, publish articles and do a weekly radio show.”
Pacey has also branched out into filmmaking. His first documentary film, ‘Never Forgotten: The Marines of Masterton’ is being screened for the public by Wairarapa Word and Wairarapa Library Service on Sunday June 8 from 3:00 p.m. at the Carterton Community Courthouse. Nau mai, haere mai. All welcome.
He will also lead a free workshop on how to produce a book – coming up with the idea, how to research, and then writing, editing, publishing and promoting. This opportunity, supported by Wairarapa Library Service, is limited to 15 participants. To register, email your name and phone number to: events.waiword@gmail.com with the subject heading: Pacey Workshop.
Pacey says: “Book events are brilliant as they bring together like-minded people.
It’s a real honour to be asked to speak at Wairarapa Word and share some of what I have learned over the years. Everyone has a book in them and I hope that I can inspire others to take up being an author, it’s a brilliant pastime and very rewarding.
“I myself started writing while at university and published my first book while still studying.”
Wai Word has been presenting a free monthly public event since 2012.
