Clinton in Christchurch 1999, The 10th anniversary of President Bill Clinton’s visit to Christchurch, NZ
Commissioned by: Canterbury On Air (2000). Revised for Radio New Zealand (2009)
When Clinton Came to Christchurch Radio Documentary · Canterbury On Air / Radio New Zealand · 2000 & 2009
On 15 September 1999, President Bill Clinton became the first sitting US President to visit Christchurch, New Zealand — stopping at the American Antarctic Deep Freeze Air Base. Only the second President to travel to New Zealand while in office, his visit exposed the city to the full scale of the American political machine: the security operation, the media entourage, and the logistical weight that accompanies a head of state at the height of his global prominence.
A documentary marking the first anniversary of the visit was produced in 2000 for Canterbury On Air, a Christchurch radio station — the recollections of those present still fresh. Almost a decade later, the project was revisited and substantially expanded to mark the tenth anniversary: new interviews were gathered, including a contribution from former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, recorded in Auckland by Thomas Watts, and integrated with the original audio and new narration.
The revised documentary was broadcast during the week of the tenth anniversary on Sounds Historical, Radio New Zealand's Sunday evening history programme.
An abridged audio-slideshow version of the piece is available below.
Contributors:
Jenny Shipley, Prof. Scott Lucas, Gary Moore (the ex-mayor – not the guitarist – sorry), Diane Keenan, Christopher Moore, Martin van Beynen, Richard Benton, Ross Devereax,
With thanks to The Christchurch Press, The International Antarctic Centre, Thomas Watts, Prof. Scott Lucas from the University of Birmingham.
