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o Ngā Taonga
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In this issue we are proud to announce a new digital preservation of Nambassa Festival that’s about to hit screens as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival! We’re also collaborating on a special in-person event marking the 40^th anniversary of homosexual law reform, reflecting on Matariki, and remembering the lives of Sam Neill and Henare Kīngi.

Nambassa Festival returns to screens

In the summer of 1979, on a farm near Waihī, 60,000 hippies gathered at the annual Nambassa Music and Alternative Lifestyles Festival for three days of peace, love, spiritual growth, and of course music. Nambassa Festival was edited from 36 hours of raw footage by English concert film director Phillip Howe, and premiered at the Auckland International Film Festival on July 20, 1980. Working with copyright holder Peter Terry, Ngā Taonga has supplied a brand-new digital preservation of the film to NZIFF for 2026, restoring its sun-baked visuals and riotous 1970s soundtrack to the highest possible quality.

As Dr Leslie Lewis, Manager Film Preservation – Poutaki Rokiroki Kiriata at Ngā Taonga explains: “Our preservation philosophy is about returning films to their intended state. We don’t add anything new or improve recordings beyond what was possible at the time they were made. Every element of this digital preservation, including the colour grading, is true to the original – which fortunately for us was beautifully made.”

Through the Collections: 40 Years of Homosexual Law Reform commemorates the long struggle to end the criminalisation of homosexuality and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ New Zealanders. It's a rare opportunity to view queer history from 1986 and earlier, including a screening of the Ngā Taonga programme Thin Edge of the Wedge, which will be introduced by curator Gareth Watkins.

We're proud to be partnering with the National Library of New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Kawe Mahara Queer Archives Aotearoa, and Blackout Poetry Aotearoa on this special event on Saturday 1 August.

Can't make it on the day? The exhibition items, including Thin Edge of the Wedge, will remain on display in the National Library until 8 August for self-guided visits.

Event details

Matariki Tātai Arorangi

As we look forward to new beginnings, we also take time to reflect on and put to rest the treasures of the past. Each year, across the nation, we see more whānau embracing Matariki, its light inspiring family gatherings, watch parties, wānanga, live music, and beach bonfires.

Koia nei te pakipūmeka a Matariki Tātai Arorangi nō te terenga whitiāhua o Hawaiiki, i whakapaohotia ai i te tau 2006.

The documentary looks at traditional concepts of Māori astronomy in comparison to celestial knowledge of other cultures through the assistance of expert commentary, provided by Māori authorities such as Ranginui Walker and Tā Hirini Moko Mead.

Kia whakairia ake ngā korero tuku iho nei ki ngā whetū o Matariki i tēnei te mātahi o te tau.

Watch here

He Maimai Aroha - Sam Neill

E te whetū rongonui o te ao kiriata, o te ao whakaari, nāu anō a Aotearoa i whakakanohi atu ki ngā whakaminenga o te ao. Moe mai, moe mai rā.

Ngā Taonga was saddened to hear of the passing of beloved actor Sam Neill. Neill will be remembered for many iconic film roles spanning both independent roles and blockbusters, including his breakout in Roger Donaldson's thriller Sleeping Dogs (1977). He was also a director, an advocate for the arts and environment, and an insightful commentator on New Zealand's film industry. His 1995 documentary Cinema of Unease (supplied by Ngā Taonga to NZ On Screen) remains an outstanding guide to our country’s unique movie language.

Sleeping Dogs collection items

He Maimai Aroha - Henare Kīngi

Kei te wahapū kōrero o Te Reo Irirangi Māori, tāhutia koe e te ia kotokoto, kia iria ake koe ki ngā rangi, rokohanga ake ka kite i te ia e apa ana i te tai ki Te Aupōuri.

Ki ngā rangi iria ake ai koe, ki ō taumata kōwhao rau i te pō whakahirahira. He reo kākākura, ka korotū. He arero pounamu, ka tōmina.

Ngā Taonga extends our deepest condolences to the Kīngi whānau following the passing of Māori broadcasting stalwart Henare Kīngi. A respected and treasured voice in Māori broadcasting.

E Kīngi Henare, kua eke ki te ngū. Toia mai koe e ō iwi, kumea ki tō urunga, ki te moenga tē whakaarahia. Haere, haere, haere atu rā.

Listen to an interview

News briefs

Along with Nambassa Festival, Ngā Taonga has supplied archival material for four other films in the 2026 NZIFF programme: Be Merry, Lomu, Last Man Standing and My Humble Friend, Fonotī Pati Umaga.