Nau mai ki te pānui
o Ngā Taonga
Welcome to our newsletter
In this issue we look back at early tourism films, share a silly-but-serious
Fringe Festival show that made use of the many bird-related recordings in the
collection, and bid farewell to Dilworth Karaka of Herbs. Plus, you are invited
to what is sure to be a lively panel talk about libraries and archives later
this month.
This year our national heritage organisations are
commemorating an impressive milestone; 125 years of tourism in Aotearoa New
Zealand. It was in 1901 that the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts was
created, responsible for promoting and controlling important tourist sites, and
providing information and other services to travellers.
Alongside postcards, guidebooks and posters, early tourism
promoters used the new technology of filmmaking to show the country’s natural
beauty and unique culture to potential visitors. In a new story on our website,
we look at just a few tourist film highlights from the collection we care for.
For this year's New Zealand Fringe Festival, a team from
Wellington created David Klein Presents: Birds, a 'silly show with real bird
facts', bird calls, and bird-inspired music. One significant moment was the
audio taonga The
Call of the Huia, one of the most beloved items in the Ngā Taonga Sound
& Vision collection. This recording was made in 1949 and captures Henare
Hāmana mimicking the call of the extinct bird.
“The huia call was such an emotional part of our show’s
story,” says performer David Klein. “It was incredible to hear the bird via
this copy of a copy of a copy. I'm so grateful that Ngā Taonga cares for this
item and that we were able to share it with the audience.”
The show also featured recordings of RNZ Morning Report
presenters like Geoff Robinson intoning the iconic line “here’s
the bird”.
Mārire
mai koe kei te manu tīoriori
Kua pōhara ngā reo o te ao puoro i te ekenga ōu ki te kōeke o te ngū.
Ngā Taonga sends our condolences to the Karaka whānau at this time, with the
loss of one of the most influential voices in New Zealand music history, a man
whose work helped define the sound and political consciousness of a generation.
E apakura ana te motu i tō rironga ki te wāhi ngaro.
Mārire atu rā koe e te korokoro tūī, ki te kōmata o te rangi, ki ngā whetū, ki
a Hine-raukatauri, ki a Hine-nui-te-pō whakaoti atu ai.
He maimai aroha – he kura ka tangihia.
Wednesday 25 March 5.30pm – 7.15pm
Hear from six leaders from libraries and archives in
Australia, Canada, the United States of America and Aotearoa discuss how best
practice in the library and archive sectors is constantly shapeshifting, and
how transformative programming and community engagement is changing the face of
these sectors and the communities they serve. The event will be facilitated by
Te Pouhuaki National Librarian of New Zealand Rachel Esson.
This is a hybrid event which you can attend in person or
watch online – full details below. Light refreshments will be served afterwards
for those joining in person. News briefs Image credits:
1. Sheet of cinderellas, Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, 1937. Te Papa, reference number PH001236.
2. David Klein 'Birds' promotional image, supplied.
3. Screengrab from Herbs, "Sensitive to a Smile", Ngā Taonga reference F110230.
4. 'Disruption,
trends and transformation: Libraries and archives leading change' event promotional image, supplied. |
