Join this special event held by the Alexander Turnbull Library Endowment Trust in a programme celebrating the centenary of the founding of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Dr Charles Henry, the widely respected President of the Council on Library and Information Resources will present 'All things made new: Media, research, libraries, and the idea of culture'.

Exploring the profound impacts of new technologies

This lecture will explore:

• the profound impacts new technologies and understandings have made to how we define information, communication and truth
• how we research, preserve and access our heritage, and
• the crucial role of libraries in allowing us both to re-imagine our past, and reach out to future generations.

Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, will respond to Dr Henry.

About the speaker

Dr Charles Henry is former Vice Provost and University Librarian at Rice University, responsible for library services and programmes, including the Digital Library Initiative and the Digital Media Center.

He served as publisher of America’s first all-digital university press; was Chair of the advisory committee for the Information Resource Center at the International University of Bremen, and a member of the American Council of Learned Societies Commission on Cyberinfrastructure in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr Henry joined CLIR in 2007.

In this forum, we discuss why and how you can stand up to bullying and challenge discrimination in Aotearoa today.

All forums will be live-streamed on the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’s Facebook page.

Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’s Facebook

Children's Holocaust Memorial

About the speakers

Dianne Davis will moderate this session. Dianne is the Deputy Chair of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand.

Andre Whittaker is the Chair of the Pacific Island Community Leaders Forum

Louisa Wall is the Member of Parliament for Manurewa.

Deborah Hart is a panel member of the Human Rights Review Tribunal, and Executive Director of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand.

Do you use Wikipedia? It is a major source for most researchers so it is important to understand how articles are created by volunteers, how vandalism is corrected, and how to assess an article's reliability and edit history. 

New Zealand’s first Wikipedian-at-large Dr Mike Dickison will cover all of these topics in an introduction suitable for newcomers to Wikipedia, and those who use it every day.

Wikipedia is the number-one source of information for most people today. Anyone involved in communicating with the public needs to take Wikipedia seriously, understand how articles are created by volunteers, how vandalism is corrected, and how to assess an article's reliability and edit history.

Correcting errors on Wikipedia

It's our responsibility to correct mistakes in Wikipedia, cite references correctly for every fact, and improve the coverage of New Zealand people and places. Historical researchers serious about reaching an audience should consider improving Wikipedia before they plan any other kind of publication. 

Mike will cover all of these topics in an introduction suitable for newcomers to Wikipedia, and those who use it every day.

About the speaker

Dr Mike Dickison is New Zealand’s first Wikipedian-at-Large. With support from the Wikimedia Foundation he is spending a year is in organisations ranging from museums to nature reserves, from Northland to Invercargill, training staff and helping them use their expertise to improve Wikipedia and make images, text, and video freely usable by the public.

During January & February 2019 he is Wikipedian-in-Residence at the National Library. Mike has a full programme of edit-a-thons and talks for the public, staff and sector colleagues, and the Wikipedia volunteer community.

Wikipedia:GLAM/New Zealand Wikipedian at Large

Poetry with Brownies is a group of writers of colour who come together to share their work.

Funny, challenging and creative these writers speak with an authentic voice about issues they face today.

Members of the group include:

• Anahera Gildea (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga)
• Tayi Tibble (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui/Ngāti Porou), and
• Apirana Taylor (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui/Ngāti Porou/Ngāti Ruanui).

Open mic session

Following the reading by Poetry with Brownies there will be an open mic session, so bring your poems to perform.

See the original Treaty of Waitangi

While you're here have a look at the original Treaty of Waitangi in the He Tohu exhibition or enjoy some of our other events.

Other events at the National Library on Waitangi Day

Other things on at the National Library on Waitangi Day are:

Tākarokaro — kid’s event 10am to 12pm

He Tohu tours — throughout the day, see and learn about the Treaty of Waitangi.

About Poetry with Brownies

Poetry with Brownies (formerly ‘Coffee with Brownies’) hosts free, all ages open mic events, for people of colour to share their poetry.

Poetry with Brownies was established as a response to the lack of cultural diversity represented at poetry events in Pōneke. Their aim is to encourage poets of colour, of all ages and experience, to share their work in culturally responsive spaces.

We’ll meet you at the main entrance at 10am for a quick welcome into the library and from there you can help with our giant paste-up.

We’ll also be designing a flag and when it’s done, we’ll run it up the flag pole so please wear something to paint in!

There will be colouring in and collage, stories and family tours of He Tohu.

Enter our quiz to win a cool prize!

We’d also love it if you could stay and share some food with us afterwards — all you have to bring is you!

See the original Treaty of Waitangi

While you're here have a look at the original Treaty of Waitangi in the He Tohu exhibition or enjoy some of our other events.

Other events at the National Library on Waitangi Day

He Tohu tours — throughout the day, see and learn about the Treaty of Waitangi.

Poetry with Brownies 10am to 12pm

Children enjoying the He Tohu exhibition after doing art activities at the National Library.

He Tohu tours

Guided He Tohu experiences will take place throughout Waitangi day and will be in te reo Māori and English.

The guided experience offers insight into stories behind some of the 540 Rangatira who signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the thoughts of New Zealanders on the meaning and value of the Treaty today

Tour times:

Other events at the National Library on Waitangi Day

Tākarokaro — kid’s event 10am to 12pm

Poetry with Brownies 10am to 12pm

Following this (3pm) National Library Field Conservator Vicki-Anne Heikell will accompany our guides to discuss key elements of ‘conservation’ and ‘preservation’ of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Wikipedia is the 5th most popular site on the Internet, with 70 million visitors a day. It exists in 301 languages, with 5.6 million articles in English Wikipedia alone. It's advertising-free, and the only site in the top 100 run by a non-profit charity. Wikipedia results and previews dominate Google Search results, so it's where our audiences are.

Organisations whose mission is making information accessible need to understand Wikipedia and have a plan for engaging with it and the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who write it. 

The image-repository Wikimedia Commons and the open structured database Wikidata are equally important for heritage organisations, and libraries need to be aware of the new project Wikicite, which aims to create a Wikidata object for every publication.

Wikipedian-at-Large 

Dr Mike Dickison, NZ Wikipedian-at-Large, will present an overview of Wikipedia, and discuss some possible engagement strategies for heritage organisations. 

About the speaker

Dr Mike Dickison is New Zealand’s first Wikipedian-at-Large. With support from the Wikimedia Foundation he is spending a year is in organisations ranging from museums to nature reserves, from Northland to Invercargill, training staff and helping them use their expertise to improve Wikipedia and make images, text, and video freely usable by the public.

During January and February 2019 he is Wikipedian-in-Residence at the National Library. Mike has a full programme of edit-a-thons and talks for the public, staff and sector colleagues, and the Wikipedia volunteer community.

Wikipedia:GLAM/New Zealand Wikipedian at Large

This event is being co-hosted with LIANZA, ARANZ and Te Rōpū Whakahau.

LIANZA website | ARANZ website | Te Rōpū Whakahau website

Dr Mike Dickison is at the Library as Wikipedian in residence for January and February, thanks to a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation.

 This is one of a number of events he will be running in association with the Library. We’re thrilled to be working with him to highlight the work of New Zealand cartoonists and comics artists.

We're improving the coverage of New Zealand cartoonists and comic artists in Wikipedia!

Come along, even if you've never edited Wikipedia before; keen writers/researchers and comics fans welcome.

What you'll be doing

There will be an introduction to Wikipedia editing at the start, and experienced editors available to help.

We'll be creating articles about contemporary artists, improving others, adding references and images, and helping correct Wikipedia's gender bias.

Timetable and other useful information

There's lots of useful information about what to expect and what to bring on wikipedia.

Wikipedia:Meetup/Wellington/NZ Comics and Cartoons

Comic artists we want you!

Comics artists are especially welcome to attend, and invited to donate a representative sample of their work (or a self-portrait) to Commons to illustrate their article.

James will talk about what he brought into the Randell Cottage — poetry and books for children — and what he hopes he will take out of it: a novel for grown-ups.

James wears a number of writing hats. He is a:

• children’s writer
• poet
• editor
• teacher of creative writing, and
• promoter of poetry in Christchurch.

Apart from a collection of short stories set in China, The Chinese Interpreter, and a few other short stories, he has rarely written fiction for adults.

Writing for grown-ups

His time in the Randell Cottage has given him the opportunity to write a novel for grown-ups.

James's wide-ranging talk will include readings from recently published work and background on how the pieces came about and then — braving the superstition regarding talk of work in progress — he will discuss The Frog Prince, his current Randell Cottage project.

There will be ample opportunity for the audience to participate via question and answer.

About the speaker

James Norcliffe is an editor, poet and children’s writer.

His recent work includes Dark Days in the Oxygen Cafe (VUP), The Pirates and the Nightmaker, Twice Upon A Time (Longacre/Random/Puffin) and Bonsai: Best Small Stories from Aotearoa New Zealand edited with Michelle Elvy and Frankie McMillan (Canterbury University Press).

In our final event marking Suffrage125 Dr Hilary Stace looks back at some of the influential women who fought for social, political and economic justice in New Zealand.

A century before Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister an earlier generation of left-wing feminists paved the way for those who followed. They were the first generation to vote, although for many their first vote came after immigration to New Zealand. This group of women:

• helped found the Labour Party
• lobbied for the right to stand for Parliament (finally won in 1919)
• fought for social justice 
• stood for election to boards and committees, and
• ran community and voluntary groups.

All while supporting their men including during wartime imprisonment, and eventually into the First Labour Government. They were involved in all aspects of the Labour movement although political power at the highest levels was largely denied them.

Janet Fraser and her Wellington friends

Janet Fraser, wife of Prime Minister Peter Fraser, was one example. An early member of the Wellington Hospital Board, she was one of the first women JPs, encouraged Peter’s interest in the arts, was influential in bringing the Polish refugees to New Zealand and hosted a visit by her friend Eleanor Roosevelt.

She was also Peter’s Parliamentary gatekeeper and partner in decision-making. This presentation will look at Janet Fraser and some of her Wellington socialist friends.

About the speaker

Past careers working at the Turnbull Library and the Dictionary of NZ Biography provided opportunities for Hilary Stace to pursue her interests in feminist history and politics. She is also a researcher on disability issues and her PhD was on autism and public policy.

Hear two personal stories of what it is like to seek refuge in New Zealand. This talk will provide a fascinating historical perspective and insight into the refugee experience.

Inge Woolf came to New Zealand as a Holocaust refugee in the 1950s, Ibrahim Omer in 2008 from war-torn Eritrea.

Over 50 years apart, these two personal stories of seeking refuge in New Zealand provide a fascinating historical perspective and
insight into the refugee experience.

All forums will be live-streamed on the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’s Facebook page.

Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’s Facebook

Children's Holocaust Memorial

About the speakers

Tracey Barnett will moderate this session. Tracey is a journalist and former Executive Member of the Refugee Councill of New Zealand.

Ibrahim Omer is a former refugee who arrived in New Zealand in 2008 through the refugee quota. He is the Chair of the Change Makers Refugee Forum.

Inge Woolf survived the Holocaust and is a co-founder of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand. 

Victors write history and the First World War is no exception. Frantz  shows the “other side” of the aftermath of the Great War, following the grieving widow of a German soldier and her journey to forgiveness and healing. Starring Pierre Niney, Paula Beer, Anton von Lucke, and Ernst Stötzner.

This beautifully presented French/German language film is being shown in conjunction with the current exhibition Goodbye to all that: Armistice 1918 in the Turnbull Gallery.

Goodbye to all that: Armistice 1918

Our speakers represent women stepping into new territories to lead and make a difference. Refreshments and networking afterwards.

Jess Manins — CEO MIXT Studios

MIXT specialises in the production of augmented and virtual reality (VR) solutions. MIXT has developed a VR tool for the Breast Cancer Foundation to support women undergoing treatment.

Jess will talk about the opportunities and challenges afforded by disruptive technologies.

Maia Mariner — Founder Lazy Sneakers

At the age of 12, Maia set up the Lazy Sneakers charity to rehome used sneakers to children in need.

Maia will talk about what motivated her and reflections as a young woman of Maori and Pasifika heritage. An impressive young woman, now in her first year at Queen Margaret’s College.

Hiria Te Rangi — Kaiwhakahaere (CEO) Whare Hauora

Hiria loves her community and loves technology, so leading Whare Hauora was a natural role for her.

Whare Hauora goes into Marae, community centres and schools to teach low-income families about Whare Sensors, how to build them and how they can help whanau make informed decisions about how their home affects their health.

With 20 years in technical and business roles spanning open data, open source, digital technologies and infrastructure, Hiria relishes her role and the difference Wharehauora can make in Aotearoa.

Presenters, kai and performance.

With, Dame Winnie Laban, Kate Sheppard and Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia represented by their direct descendants Elsie Jolliffe and Mona-Pauline Mangakāhia, Alexia Hilbertidou (Founder, Girl Boss), Fatumata Bah (Founde, Mana Wahine), Latayvia Tualasea Tautai (Co-Founder of Labournesia) and Jaymie Rangiuia (Young Guns Support Leader for Manaaki Ability Trust).

In partnership with Women Walk and Work for Peace

This learning event is for

The tour is for primary, intermediate, and secondary school library teams. It's a valuable day for anyone who would like some new ideas to re-energise their school library space and services.

Bring your whole library team as it’s an ideal opportunity to discuss ideas for developing your school library in 2019.

Tour details — where we'll meet and end

We'll do the driving for you! 

• We'll travel by bus starting at Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library and Community Centre where there's ample parking for your car. Sign in between 9:30am to 9:55am and the bus will depart at 10:00am. 
• We'll visit 2 primary school libraries, 2 secondary school libraries and one intermediate school library (all different libraries to those we visited in 2017).
• We'll return you to Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library and Community Centre by 3pm.

What's provided

Lunch and morning tea are provided.

Register or find out more

Register for this course — space is limited, so book your spot now. Registrations close 5pm 15 November 2018.

Contact jan.boustead@dia.govt.nz for more information about the tour.

More Services to Schools professional learning courses and events

Dr Vincent O’Malley will present an overview of this turbulent period in our history — a series of conflicts that profoundly shaped the course and direction of our nation’s history.

Dr O’Malley looks at the origins, causes and consequences of these conflicts and discusses how the wars have been remembered historically.

About the speaker

Vincent is a well-known and acclaimed Wellington historian, whose book, The Great War for New Zealand: Waikato 1800-2000, was published by Bridget Williams Books in 2016.

He has received a Friends of the Turnbull Library research grant to help him research his latest book project, a history of the New Zealand Wars aimed at the secondary school market.

A Friends of the Turnbull Library event

Collision, Compromise and Conversion during the Wesleyan Hokianga Mission, 1827-1855: A critical study of Hokianga Māori, missionary and kauri merchant interactions is a critical analysis of early New Zealand.

The book looks at culture change and Māori conversion during the Wesleyan Hokianga Mission and  how with Mission Superintendent, William White, Māori adopted and adapted Christianity and European 'modernity' to suit their own culture.

Author Gary Clover will present his recently launched book on culture change and Māori conversion during the Wesleyan Hokianga Mission.

Wesleyan Hokianga Mission in New Zealand

The book seeks to pay tribute to the scholarship of the late Associate-Professor John M.R. Owens of Massey University by highlighting some of his early New Zealand contact era scholarship as presented in the Hokianga portion of his unpublished PhD thesis of 1969 on the Wesleyan Mission in New Zealand. 

Also to inform the forthcoming two day bicentenary symposium on the beginning of the Wesleyan Mission to New Zealand in 1819 to be held by Methodist churches on 24-26 May 2019 at the College of St John the Evangelist, Auckland.

Author Gary Clover, Dame Claudia Orange (Te Papa Research Fellow) and Dr Geoff Troughton (Senior History Lecturer, Victoria University of Wellington) will each speak about the publication.

Light refreshments will be available.

About the speaker

Gary Clover is a retired Methodist Presbyter with a forty-year interest in culture change and conversion in early contact-era New Zealand.

His 1973 Auckland MA thesis examined Māori conversion in South Taranaki. He has earlier published two monographs, and in the Wesley Historical Society and Stimulus journals, and elsewhere.

Gary Clover, author of Collision, Compromise & Conversion during the Wesleyan Hokianga Mission, 1827-1855: A critical study of Hokianga Māori, missionary and kauri merchant interactions

Join the Friends of the Dorothy Neal White Collection for festive drinks and nibbles, followed by a talk from Kay Hancock, on her research into New Zealand picture books of the 1940s and 1950s. Kay will share her discoveries of stories of a 'fairyland' New Zealand, populated with creatures of the bush, both real and imagined.

How where New Zealand children portrayed in picture books prior to the 1960s?

Kay’s investigation of mid-twentieth century New Zealand picture books arose as an offshoot of her doctoral research into the Ready to Read instructional reading series.

Supported by a research grant from the Friends of the Dorothy Neal White collection, Kay wanted to find out how New Zealand children had been portrayed in picture books prior to the 1960s.

Her investigation revealed that very few of these books in fact include New Zealand children as characters. Instead the books are overwhelmingly focused on the natural world of New Zealand, in particular, the creatures of the New Zealand bush.

Gilderdale (1982) had recognised the earnest desire within New Zealand writing “to tell children about the Maoris, the settlers, the bush, the native birds, and the hazards of rising tides and fast-swelling rivers”.

Bush and birds

'Bush and birds' are indeed key features of picture books of this period. Information about the natural world is woven into the fantastical adventures of birds, insects, and 'flower fairies' in a New Zealand 'fairyland', often accompanied by detailed, engaging illustrations. Kay will describe some of the more intriguing examples.

About the speaker

Kay Hancock is a literacy consultant and a children’s literature researcher.

Her background is in primary school teaching and educational publishing, in particular the development of early reading materials for New Zealand students. 

She has recently completed her doctoral thesis, which explores the Ready to Read instructional reading series 1963-1988 as New Zealand children’s literature.

The WW100 website describes The Battle of Le Quesnoy, in northern France on 4 November 1918, as one of New Zealand’s most important victories in World War 1, and the last.

WW100 website

A few days after the liberation of the town, the Armistice ending the First World War was signed in Compiègne, France. The liberation of Le Quesnoy is still anchored in the memory of New Zealanders and the people of the town.

To mark the centenary of this major event, Turnbull research librarian Gillian Headifen explores the collections to identify material relating to the Battle and the people involved.

About the speaker

Gillian Headifen is the Research Librarian Oral History in the Alexander Turnbull Library’s Research Enquiries team, and has worked in the Library for 17 years.

She has previously given talks in the Family History series on the Battle of Messines, the sinking of the Marquette, and the use of oral history for family history research.