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o Ngā Taonga
Welcome to our newsletter

In this issue we mark the anniversary of a tragic prisoner of war incident in Featherston, welcome the oncoming autumn season and look forward to Te Matatini 2025. We also celebrate the birthday of an iconic Wellington attraction and share details of a visit from a special guest.

Featherston prisoners of war incident

On this day in 1943, a tragic incident occurred at a prisoner of war (POW) camp just outside of Featherston. The camp, built in 1915–1916, was used for military training during World War I then was reused in World War II as New Zealand’s largest POW camp. On 25 February 1943, a group of prisoners staged a sit-down strike in protest of working arrangements. What happened next is disputed but it resulted in the deaths of 48 Japanese prisoners and one guard. A military court of enquiry in the month following the event concluded with no charges being laid against either side.

In the online collection is a 1960 item from the RNZ Collection in which New Zealand veteran Norman (Nobby) Clark reflects on hearing news of the incident as a POW himself overseas.

Autumn gardening

We like to mark a change in seasons with an item from the online collection. The official autumn months in New Zealand are March to May, so it’s starting in less than a week! To welcome autumn, we share a 1951 RNZ item about autumn gardening. Those with green fingers might find some handy tips in the mix.

Te Matatini: He Hokinga Mahara

E hīkaka katoa ana te motu mō ngā kapa kua tae atu ki Taranaki mō te whakataetae ā-motu, arā, a Te Matatini o te Kāhui Maunga 2025.

I a tātou e aro whakamua ana ki ngā kapa haka, he hokinga mahara tēnei ki ngā toa o Te Matatini Herenga Waka, Herenga Tangata 2023. Ko rātou te rōpū whakamutunga i tū ki te whakangahau atu i te minenga, waihoki i pōreareatia rātou e Ranginui i te heketanga o te ua makerewhatu i taua wā rā, hāunga tonu ko Te Whānau a Apanui tērā i eke ki te taumata.

Ākene tātou ka kite i ngā hua o te kaha whakaharatau o ā tātou kapa ki roto o Taranaki, ākene pea hoki he toa hōu ka eke!

The excitement for Te Matatini o te Kāhui Maunga 2025 is building, and we can't wait to witness the incredible performances our kapa have been crafting over the past year.

As we look ahead, we also reflect on Te Matatini Herenga Waka, Herenga Tangata 2023, where Te Whānau a Apanui claimed victory. Their performances, alongside waiata and mōteatea dating back many years ago – including this taonga from 1954 – continue to inspire and remind us of the rich legacy of this competition.

Kia kaha to all those who have been training tirelessly for months. The countdown is on – hei ākuanei!

Happy birthday to the Wellington Cable Car

Last week saw the 123rd birthday of the Wellington Cable Car! The capital city icon first opened to the public on February 22 in 1902. Today it offers one of the country’s only funicular railway journeys.

This amateur film from 1965 shows a still-recognisable journey from Cable Car Lane to the Kelburn Lookout, plus shots of the control room.

Te Heuheu visit to Pipitea

Last week, we had the honour of welcoming Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII, the esteemed tribal leader and ariki of Ngāti Tūwharetoa into our Pipitea office. During his visit, we shared stories and titles from both his own early days and those of his father, Sir Hepi Te Heuheu.

We spoke about the recent Ruia Taitea gathering that brought together descendants of Ngāti Tūwharetoa to celebrate their Tūwharetoataonga. This event was a tremendous success for the iwi, and we are excited to look ahead to next year and plan a special screening featuring Ngāti Tūwharetoa archival footage.

It was a privilege to connect with Sir Tumu and his whānau, and we look forward to future collaborations. Ka huri, kei te tūwhera tonu te awa ki Nukuhau – so long as the water flows out at Nukuhau, so will our relationships remain firm with neighbouring tribes. It is the river that connects and binds us.

News briefs

• To celebrate Valentine's Day, we went looking for romance in the online collection. Find out more in our latest story for The Post.
• Our Waitangi programme for 2025, Tāngata Whenua – Tāngata Tiriti: Kotahitanga, went live earlier this month.

  
  

Image credits:

1) Japanese prisoners of war, near Featherston. Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972 Photographic albums, prints and negatives. Ref 14-000768-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. records23229430.

2) Stock image of gardening from unsplash.com. Photo by Sandie Clarke.

3) Stock image of Taranaki Maunga from pexels.com. Photo by Ethan Brooke.

4) Photo of Kelburn cable car, circa 1902. Ref 12-008120-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. records23243496.

5) Photo of Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII and whanau with Ngā Taonga Tumu Whakarae Honiana Love and kaimahi.