History of the Cactus and Succulent Society of New Zealand

In the beginning

In 1947 Phyllis Bruce wrote to every known cactus grower in New Zealand suggesting they form a cactus group for the benefit of all, and as a result on November 27th 1947, Phyllis posted out the first newsletter (reproduced here ) entitled "Cactus and Succulent Notes", which she sent to various persons who had expressed an interest in the formation of a Cactus and Succulent Society.
As New Zealanders were prohibited from sending dollars to America at the time, she was looking for people to propagate from their own plants for distribution and sale to fellow New Zealanders.
In conjunction her friend Muriel Waterman placed an advert in the 'NZ Herald' asking anyone interested in cactus and succulents to contact her (by mail, as she hated telephones and did not have one!)

The second newsletter dated 28th December 1947, announces the formation of the society with a subscription of 5 shillings (50 cents). Interim Committee: Muriel Waterman - President, Secretary - Mr. R Brown and Editor- Phyllis Bruce.
A third newsletter was distributed on the 17th January 1948.

The inaugural meeting of the society was held in Auckland on the 18th February with an attendance of 17 people.

The monthly cyclostyled "Cactus and Succulent Notes" was changed to the "journal of the Cactus and Succulent Society of New Zealand" and published for the first time on the 21st February 1948, with 10 pages. This makes the NZCSS journal the second longest running succulent periodical in the English language, with the same name and fifth worldwide in terms of years a society has been publishing a journal.

In the first year the membership grew to 230 persons.

Through the years

In February 1949 the first annual report was distributed, 2 branches had formed (Canterbury and Wellington), by April 1949 membership was 360 members. In May 1950 Waikato and Auckland branches formed. By September 1951 8 branches had formed and overall membership was 500 members. Bruce Cutler took over as editor including writing his famous '"The Cactus Patch" by ABC', and Madge Shields wrote her first of many articles, which were printed in cactus journals throughout the world.

August 1952 saw the manufacture of the society badge, which hasn't changed design since and a ninth branch had formed (Otago), followed by Palmerston North in March 1953.

1953 ... Big News! A cactus has bloomed at Auckland Zoo it was reported in the "New Zealand Herald" ... trouble was it was an Agave! Things don't change do they?

In 1953 the 11th branch formed, Papakura. By 1955 branches had grown to 17 with 19 in 1956. In 1958 the society was 10 years old with over 1000 members and Mr. G Snelling was acting President due to the relocation of Mr. Cutler and a branch was formed in Masterton (my home town ... but well before my arrival into this world!).

In February 1959 the society AGM was held in Wellington, the first time it had been held away from Auckland and Mrs. Hanson stepped down as secretary after 11 years. Auckland held it's second Annual Show in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, and a branch started in Stratford.
In 1961 TWENTY THREE branches were listed in the journal and subs were 12/6d.

In 1962 the society imported Johnson Echinopsis Hybrids from the USA, which were balloted to ensure everyone had a fair chance at buying one and Evelyn Harrison became President. Importation of plants was repeated in 1963 including 3 different Paramount Hybrids ... "some suffered badly from etiolation on their long journey ... but although deformed will respond well to a bit of loving care and attention" it was stated.

On the 29th February 1964 Hamilton Branch hosted it's first AGM and it was here that the now (in)famous "chain of office" (an idea of Drew Carlton) was first presented. In May the Hastings branched was formed (my first branch ... but once again before my time!), although branches now numbered 21. In August the Foxton branched formed.
At the 1967 AGM Joyce Carlton was elected secretary, a position she held until 1994!!.

Plant theft has always been a problem, one member who had some Cephalocereus senilis seedlings, which were definitely not for sale as they were very rare then, reported returning home to find one of his precious plants missing, but in it's place the person had left a note and 2/- in payment!

The 21st AGM was held in Wellington in 1969, with of course a "Key to the door" added to the Chain of Office. By 1970 branches were down to 18. In 1971 there were 639 members, at the AGM it was decided to reduce journal publication to bi-monthly, previously it had 11 issues a year - quite a big undertaking.

In 1974 a group of members traveled to Brisbane to attend "Succulenticon", previous conferences in Australia had been called "Cacticon" but the Queensland government has outlawed the use of the word "cactus" so it was renamed accordingly!.
1974 was also the silver anniversary of the society and the AGM saw Rob Russell resign as President to be replaced by Dave Simons.
In 1976 Dorothy Malcolmson resigned as treasurer with Brian Buchanan elected to the position, which he was to hold for the next 20 years.

In 1979 Dave Simons resigned as president, replaced by John Bailey for the next 12 years. Also in 1979 the journal editor resigned, and Joyce Carlton and John Bailey stepped in temporarily until the next AGM, whereupon they were appointed journal editors ... a position they would hold for 15 years ... a long "temporary"!
1980 and membership stood at 726 with 16 branches and the journal address labels were computerised!! Also in 1980 the Australasian conference was held in Hamilton, the first time outside Australia.
1982 - 847 members, 1983 - 794 members (including myself for the first time!).

In 1994 Joyce Carlton retired after 27 years as secretary, and another Australasian conference was held in Hamilton.

I will leave you here, as we are leaving history and entering modern times in our society.

Recent AGM and Conference hosts

1978 New Plymouth
1979 Northland
1980 Hamilton (Australasian)
1984 South Taranaki
1985 Manawatu
1986 Hamilton
1987 Hawkes Bay
1988 South Taranaki
1989 Wellington-Hutt Valley
1990 Auckland
1991 New Plymouth
1992 Bay of Plenty
1993 Hawkes Bay
1994 Hamilton (Australasian)
1995 Manawatu
1996 Bay of Plenty
1997 Auckland
1998 Wellington-Hutt Valley (Golden)
1999 Hawkes Bay
2000 New Plymouth
2001 Auckland
2002 Bay of Plenty
2003 Wellington-Hutt Valley
2004 Manawatu/Tararua branches (joint hosts) (Australasian)

Recent Presidents of the CSSNZ

Dave Simons 1975 - 1979
John Bailey 1980 - 1989
Karl Johnson 1990 - 2000
Joan Wells 2000 - 2005
Philip Downs 2005 -