News, what's new & more
Kia Tūpato: let’s begin this kōrero (in somewhat turbulent times) with a waiata from Morvin Simon:
And as we pause — kia maumaharatia anō Te Tiriti o Waitangi, me hora te aroha engari anō te rirhau, spread love not anger — ngā kupu mōhio nō ō tātou rangatira:
Here are some resources for Te Rā o Waitangi, gathered from ngā hau e whā…
The Bill Oliver Prize is a bi-ennial award for the best book on any aspect of New Zealand history, and the 2023 winners were announced at the New Zealand Historians conference in Christchurch recently. Huge congratulations to:
Downfall: the destruction of Charles Mackay / Diamond, Paul
“In 1920 New Zealanders were shocked by the news that the brilliant, well-connected mayor of Whanganui had shot a young gay poet, D’Arcy Cresswell, who was blackmailing him. They were then riveted by the trial that followed. Mackay was sentenced to hard labour and later left the country, only to be shot by a police sniper during street unrest in Berlin during the rise of the Nazis. The outcome of years of digging by historian Paul Diamond, ‘Downfall: The destruction of Charles Mackay’ shines a clear light on the vengeful impulses behind the blackmail and Mackay’s ruination.” (Adapted from catalogue) Also available as an eBook – Downfall, by Paul Diamond.
Read reviews of Downfall from RNZ and The SpinOff.
Te Motunui Epa / Buchanan, Rachel
“‘This is a story about the power of art to help us find a way through the darkness. It is about how art can bring out the best in us, and the worst. The artworks in question are five wooden panels carved in the late 1700s by relatives in Taranaki.’ This stunning book examines how five interconnected archival records, Te Motunui Epa, have journeyed across the world and changed international law, practices and understanding on the protection and repatriation of stolen cultural treasures.” (Adapted from catalogue)
Continue reading “Piki Ake, Kake Ake! Bill Oliver Prize 2023”
Remember, remember, Te Pāhuatanga o Parihaka; the passive resistance of Te Whiti and Tohu. There are now a growing number of books and online resources celebrating their lives and deep commitment to the idea of passive resistance. Have a browse and a read of the titles and resources below, learn more and begin to understand this history.
Click through to read about the stories of Parihaka, Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi — the books and links in the list below lay out their foundation kaupapa of peaceful resistance:
Also included in the booklist above, are some online articles and biographies, collected on Digital New Zealand, that tell the stories of Te Whiti o Rongomai (d. November 1907), and Tohu Kākahi (d. February 1907) and help us remember them.
If you would like to jump straight to this collection of resources, you can find all of these resources collected at the link below:
And for tamariki, here is a post from our Kids’ Blog with pukapuka and rauemi about Parihaka:
Morvin Simon, 1944-2014
Te Āti-Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa
b. Kaiwhaiki Marae, Whanganui River
Composer, kapa haka leader, choirmaster and historian
In this Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, let’s remember the special team of Morvin and Kura Simon, who gave a life’s partnership to sustaining Te Reo Māori and enhancing Māori performing arts:
Morvin composed many waiata including our workplace favourite: (Te Aroha 1983) – so simple and yet so beautiful but he composed many other waiata such as:
His wife Kura was his pou for the last seven years of Morvin’s chronic ill-health. Kapa haka is a wonderful way of promoting te reo and they brought aroha and whanaungatanga to the lives of rōpū such as Te Matapihi, and Te Taikura o te Awa Tupua.
Together, in 2013, they were awarded Queen’s Birthday honours – Morvin as Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and Kura as Queen’s Service Medal , for their services to Māori.
In the previous year, 2012, Morvin received an honorary Bachelor of Arts (Māori Performing Arts) from Te Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
Our library has copies of Morvin’s history of pā of Whanganui – Taku Whare e! but his tuhituhinga included:
Te Kohanga reo, he ahurewa mana = A language nursery, seedbed of dignity (1990)
1946-1996 Hui Aranga : “Te Aranga Ake” = “The Resurrection” (1996)
He whakaaro hei korero (1991)
and a section of Te Wharekura. 46: Te Taonga nei o te tikanga.
Morvin exhorted his learners to be always prepared for any occasion:
You never know when you just might have to step up to the plate and get your reo on:
Moea to taiaha ; Moea to patu ; Moea to poi
Learn more:
The Bridget Williams Books – Text Collection is a diverse group of short eBooks on the big issues facing Aotearoa. Dive in to discover stories, insights and analysis by some of Aotearoa’s best writers and commentators. The collection is available to read online for free by logging in with your WCL library card here.
In 2013 BWB launched the first of their 100 BWB Texts series. A celebration of this milestone is happening at National Library at 6pm on Tuesday 26 September. Speakers on the night include Morgan Godfrey, Rebecca Kiddle, Rebecca Macfie, Damon Sales and Tom Rennie.
My all-time favourite Bridget Williams Book, and top of the charts, is Imagining Decolonisation (2020) because of the kōrero of Moana Jackson in the launch of the text at Unity Books: Read Anahera Gildea’s account of the “slim book that invites us to dream big.”
Come along to the popular Chinese culture and language events during New Zealand Chinese Language Week! Experience Chinese culture with our programme of free events, including brilliant dance and music performances, hosted by Central Library and Newtown Library.
You can also get a free tangram game from any of our libraries.
2018年 新西兰中文周，请点击阅读
Tai Chi Demonstration, Newtown Library: 11:00-11:30am, 29 September
Celebrate Chinese Language Week, in the whānau (family) area at Newtown Library, by practicing peaceful movement with us.
Dance and opera performance, Central Library: 11:00am-12:00 pm, 29 September
Enjoy a snapshot of Chinese culture and history through artistically presented dance, music, songs, martial arts, and calligraphy performances. A wonderful show all will enjoy! Brought to you by the New Zealand Chinese Culture & Art Association.
Chinese language lesson, Central Library 1:00-2:00 pm, 29 September
Take this perfect opportunity to learn Chinese from an experienced teacher from the China Cultural Centre in New Zealand. You will learn basic communication words and essential greetings and phrases. Plus, you will access the librarian’s recommended books and resources for you to continue your language journey after the class.
Manawa Ora Childrens Choir, Newtown Library: 2:00-3:00 pm, 29 September
Come along and sing songs from all over the world with the Manawa Ora children’s choir! This is an interactive performance for all ages.
Dance and music performance, Central Library: 2:00-3:00 pm, 29 September,by Wellington Chinese Language School
Enjoy the creative dance and music performance combining traditional with contemporary dance and music. Brought to you by the Wellington Chinese Language School.
Chinese Story Times for Children
Come along to the Central Library for a storytime in Mandarin!
Chinese (Mandarin) story times, Central Library: 10:30-11:00 am, Thursday 27 September.
Read Chinese magazines online with Wellington City Libraries DragonSource database
Read thousands of Chinese magazines on your laptop or phone! Phoenix Weekly, Readers, San Lian life magazine, and many more are available to access with your library card.
Read Chinese newspapers and books online
Discover Chinese cooking, classic and contemporary literature, and latest news, online via PressReader , the New York Times (Chinese language version), and Chinese eBooks via Overdrive. All for free with your library card!
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