Our Community Stories & Traditions

On this page:

Kia Ora!

This is a page for you: our Wellington community. The aim of this page is to reflect on local family stories and traditions across all cultures. We value your contributions and comments.

Contribute

Contribute Your Story

Put the Kettle On

Background

event logo

In March of 2011, Wellington City Libraries hosted a series of "Put the kettle on" events at several branch libraries. The idea was to focus on the social customs and stories surrounding tea and coffee traditions.

It all started with the Dutch group of seniors who have been meeting on Wednesday mornings at the Island Bay Community Centre for many years. We visited to meet with the group and find out their story. The coffee is good and plenty of Dutch delicacies were on offer.

Sessions we hosted included a Chinese Gongfu Cha tea ceremony, an Oromia Ethiopian coffee ceremony, an English high tea, and a Masala tea ceremony.

Photos

Video

Books

Syndetics book coverSuzy's : a coffee house history / Susette Goldsmith.

Syndetics book coverHigh tea / [food director, Pamela Clark].

Syndetics book coverHigh tea at the Victoria Room / Jill Jones-Evans and Joe Gambacorta.

Syndetics book coverThe empire of tea : the remarkable history of the plant that took over the world / Alan Macfarlane and Iris Macfarlane.

Amazon cover linkBlack gold / a film by Nick and Marc Francis. (DVD)

Syndetics book coverDim sum : the art of Chinese tea lunch / written and illustrated by Ellen Leong Blonder.

Syndetics book coverThe fair trade revolution / edited by John Bowes ; [foreword by Mary Robinson].

A journey to the tea countries of China : including Sung-Lo and the Bohea Hills, with a short notice of the East India Company's tea plantations in the Himalaya Mountains / by Robert Fortune.

Posts

  1. Put the Kettle On!
  2. A visit to the Island Bay Dutch coffee morning
  3. Put the Kettle On: Coffee and tea drinking traditions from around the world

Moroccan Hospitality

Background

Ada Nally, the Libraries' Multicultural Community Customer Specialist, says:

I have known Abdel and his wife Zahra for many years now and feel privileged to be invited to their house and listen to their childhood stories. Where did Abdel learn to cook such a wide variety of authentic Moroccan dishes and be so knowledgable about Moroccan hospitality? His secret? His mother taught him all he needs to know!

Watch this video clip and learn more from this very passionate
chef!

In the video clip on the right, Abdelghani shares his love of authentic Moroccan cooking and hospitality. Have a listen!

Photos

  • Moroccan Hospitality
  • Moroccan Hospitality
  • Moroccan Hospitality
  • Moroccan Hospitality
  • Moroccan Hospitality
  • Moroccan Hospitality
  • Moroccan Hospitality

Video

Books

Syndetics book coverMake it Moroccan / Hassan M'souli.

Syndetics book coverTagines & couscous : delicious recipes for Moroccan one-pot cooking / Ghillie Basan.

Syndetics book coverCulinary adventures in Marrakech / Peta Mathias.

Newtown Shopkeepers

Background

Newtown is one of the most exciting, diverse and vibrant communities in Wellington. Newtown's shops and businesses reflect this diversity. From the Halal butcher, Middle Eastern treats, Indian specialities, African fashion, we have it all! We photographed shopkeepers, mechanics, firemen, and asked them why they love their suburb so much. Click on any image below to find out!

Photos

  • Salvi (Wellington born Italian) and Lilli (Fijian, been in NZ since 2000). Both of Fish Fins Newtown.
  • Juliana and Luviana (both Assyrian from Iraq) love Newtown because it is so multicultural. Both of Newtown Physio.
  • George and Constantina (Greek) love Newtown because it is so multicultural there is nothing like it. They think it is lovely to be somewhere where every one regardless of culture or age mix together without boundaries and create a lovely community vibe. Both of Kiallis Café.
  • Will has resided in Newtown for seven years and says he cannot explain why but he loves Newtown! Will is a musician in bands Thought Creature and Full Moon Fiasco.
  • Henry and Dan love everything about Newtown especially the mix of people and the way people seem to have a good grip on reality. Both of Peoples Coffee.
  • Rosalind finds she always comes back to Newtown because it is a nice big suburb and there are always friendly people around. Rosalind is from Pixel Ink Gallery.
  • Pritilal (from Fiji, been in NZ 20 years) likes that Newtown is getting quite cosmopolitan and loves all the friendly and helpful people. Pritilal is of Amba Jewellers.
  • Chrissie and Brenda (both Kiwi) like Newtown's quirky nature and all the people that come in to say hello. Both of Fabrics Direct.
  • Emiel (Fijian) likes Newtown because it is so multi-racial and nothing is ever the same. He likes all the different ethnicities and all the different foods on offer. Emiel is from Estilo Design.
  • Brendan and Ryan (both Kiwi) like Newtown because of the interesting people and good times. Both of Auto Electrical Solutions.
  • Josh, Nick, Jason and Nick (all Kiwi) like Newtown because of the variety, the colourful nature and the friendly people. All of Newtown Fire Station.
  • Fred likes Newtown because a place so special is very rare. Fred does Mechanical Repairs from his Newtown workshop.
  • Walter loves Newtown because it is so close to everything and he can get away with making loud noises at all time of the day and night. Walter works in Mainteance from his Newtown workshop.
  • Flo (NZ Dutch 1st Generation) grew up in Newtown and thinks it is a great place, loves events like the Newtown Fair. Flo is from the Newtown SPCA.
  • Nanu and Pamela (been in NZ since 1973) love Newtown because it is so multicultural, the people are so nice and it is a very special place. Both of Ranchods Enterprises.
  • Jason (Kiwi) and Nick (English) like Newtown because of all the funny characters you meet. Both of Just Hockey.
  • Vince (NZ Italian), loves Newtown because of its character and all the different nationalities. Vince is from Newtown Fish Market.
  • Navin (from Fiji been in NZ 29 years), loves Newtown because of its cultural mix. Navin feels at home in Newtown and never out of place. He also adds that Newtown has a nice feel and great coffee! Navin is from Kajal Creations.
  • Michelle (Kiwi), Toria (Kiwi) and Laupise (Samoan), like Newtown because of the variety and cool atmosphere. All of Price Busters 1,2,3 Dollar Shop.
  • Nguyen and Huong work at New World in Newtown.
  • Lyn (Malaysian) likes all the friendly people and regular customers. Lyn works at Kopi Tiam Café.
  • Susie (born in NZ) and Sheela (Indian) love the people and different cultures in Newtown an think it is fantastic! Both of Mall Books and Lotto.
  • Jonathan (Kiwi) likes Newtown because there are always cool things going on like the Newtown Fair. Jonathan works at Kodak Express Newtown Mall.
  • Michael (Kiwi, born and bred in Newtown) loves Newtown and its proximity to the city. Michael works at Plumbers Supreme.
  • Glenn ( been in Newtown 29 years), Ben, Rob and Winston are all Kiwis. They enjoy Newtown's hardworking atmosphere. All of Newtown Electrical
  • Sarkon (Iraq) likes Newtown because of all the cultures living together. Teresa (Italian, came to NZ as a child). Both of the Mediterranean Food Warehouse.
  • Randeep (Indian), likes Newtown because it is quiet and friendly as well as close to the city. He appreciates all the locals that come in the Shell regularly. Chanrith (Cambodian, came to NZ in 2007), like Newtown because of the great Asian food on offer. Both of Shell Newtown.
  • Sarah (German), Evelyn, Fabian, Rodrigo (all from Chile) and Grace like the views in Newtown, the friendly people, the closeness of shops, the greenery, the safe feel and the great libraries! All are ESOL students from the ACE program.
  • David (from Liverpool) and Alison (Malaysian) have lived and worked in Newtown since 1994. They love Newtown and like getting involved in the community and getting to know people. They love Newtown's proximity to other places, multicultural people and tropical weather! They have travelled around the world and still love Newtown the most. Both of Amadeus Hair.
  • Ahemed and Yakab. Yakab likes Newtown and says 'My God has sent me here and so I will stay'. Both of Wellington Halad Meat Ltd.
  • Giles and Gabe think Newtown is a good community. Both of Baobab café.

About | News