Tag: Waitangi Day

Bridget Williams Books: The Treaty of Waitangi Collection

AlayneLeave a comment
A selection of book covers from the Bridget Williams Books Treaty of Waitangi Collection

Log in to Bridget Williams Books Treaty of Waitangi resources with your library card

Did you know that your library card gives you access to numerous collections from the award-winning New Zealand publisher Bridget Williams Books? Today we’d like to draw your attention to their outstanding home for online resources regarding the Treaty of Waitangi.

Bridget Williams Books’ Treaty of Waitangi Collection is broken up into different subtopics to assist your learning journey. You might like to start with one of their foundation texts, such as What Happened at Waitangi? by Claudia Orange. Following on from there, you could dive into BWB’s history resources to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context in which the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. One useful text for this might be Redemption Songs by Judith Binney. After that, BWB has also provided a commentary selection, which includes publications such as New Myths and Old Politics: The Waitangi Tribunal and the Challenge of Tradition by Sir Tipene O’Regan. 

To access this Bridget Williams Books collection, simply head over to our eLibrary resources and scroll down to find Bridget Williams Books. Follow that link to access the collection. You will need your library card number and your pin to login. Happy reading!

Te Rā o Waitangi 2014

Stephanie A

waitangi

As I’m sure you know, Waitangi Day 2014 is happening next week. Next Thursday, to be precise! And, to celebrate, Wellington City Libraries will be participating in the Te Rā o Waitangi celebrations at the Wharewaka on Wellington’s waterfront.

We will be there from 11-4, with waka modelling (and sailing!) at the lagoon from 11-1.30 and badgemaking from 1.30-4. We will also have prizepacks of books up for grabs, so make sure you visit us to enter! Esteemed writer, artist and actor Apirana Taylor will be storytelling at 11am; don’t miss your opportunity to see this amazing performer in action.

There will be plenty of other games, craft activities, music and dance happening on the day and, of course, kai! See flyers and the Wellington City Council website for more details.

Te Rā o Waitangi / Waitangi Day Celebrations

Stephanie A

As promised, here is some more info on Waitangi Day celebrations taking place on Wednesday 6 February.

Te Rā o Waitangi celebrations will take place on the Wellington waterfront, mostly centred around the Te Raukura building, from 10am to 4pm. There will be activities, bands, trade stands and, of course, food! There will be many kiwiana and Māori-themed kai options available (get in quick for the hangi!).

There will also be a special performance from SKIN Choir, in association with Toi Māori Aotearoa, at Odlins Plaza, Wellington waterfront. The choir is visiting New Zealand from Australia for a five-day programme of cultural and musical exchange. This is to be the first step in establishing a Trans-Tasman musical exchange between the indigenous Māori music community of New Zealand and the indigenous music community of Australia.

Also on the day, there will be a Ki-o-Rahi festival held at Waitangi Park from 11am to 3pm. If you need some more information on what that is, you can find out here.

Te Rā o Waitangi celebrations will end with a screening of Boy in Waitangi Park, starting at dusk (approximately between 8.30 and 9.30pm).

For more information on any of these events, please check the Wellington City Council events page.

All of these events are free and open to the general public. Hope to see you there!

Waitangi Rua Rautau lectures

Stephanie A

For those of you who are interested, here’s a reminder about this year’s lecture on Sunday 3rd February

The Waitangi Rua Rautau Board

in association with Victoria University of Wellington

extend a warm invitation to the 10th Annual Waitangi Rua Rautau Lectures

“The role and contribution of education  in crossing cultural boundaries”

delivered by: Mr Ian McKinnon

and

“From 1900 to now – the evolution of the Maori community”

delivered by: Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi

at  Te Herenga Waka Marae, Kelburn Parade,  Wellington

1.30pm on Sunday 3 February

The Annual Waitangi Rua Rautau Lecture is presented by the New Zealand Maori Council and Massey University.

This lecture is supported by: Ministry of Maori Development, Crown Forestry Rental Trust, Te Ohu Kaimoana and Radio New Zealand National

RSVP:  via email  info@mokoia.co.nz, fax: (04) 560 3681, phone (04) 560 3680, or post: PO Box 30-411, Lower Hutt.

ruarautau.maori.nz

Tenth Annual Waitangi Rua Rautau Lecture

The Rua Rautau lecture is given annually by prominent New Zealanders on past and present Maori and Pakeha relationships and prospective developments.  The lectures are broadcast on National Radio, and will be published in 2040, the 200th year of the Treaty of Waitangi. 

This year’s lectures, by Ian McKinnon and Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi will be held at Te Herenga Waka Marae, Kelburn Parade, Wellington on Sunday, 3 February.

Ian McKinnon QSO JP

Ian McKinnon completed a BCom in Economics at Victoria University in 1966, having also spent two years on the Students’ Association Executive, being Men’s Vice-President in 1966.  Further, he holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from Auckland University, where he also took a major in Politics

From then until 2002 his career was in the independent school sector. He taught first at King’s College in Auckland and then at Eton College in Britain, subsequently returning as Lower Master, ie. Deputy Headmaster, in 1988. He was Headmaster of Wanganui Collegiate School from 1980 to 1988 and of Scots College from 1992 to 2002. During his time in the school sector he served on various government committees on education, and since then he has been Chair of the Correspondence School and also Chair of the Wellington College of Education, this being at the time it merged with Victoria University. He was elected Chancellor of the Victoria University in December 2009, having been a member of Council from 2003 and Pro-Chancellor from 2005 to 2009.

He became a Wellington City Councillor in 2004 and from 2007 has been the city’s Deputy Mayor.  He serves on the Board of Wellington International Airport Ltd, appointed by the Council.

He received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal and in 1991 was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO), both for services to New Zealand in the United Kingdom, and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Auckland University in 2005. He is a Justice of the Peace.

Dr Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi DNZM, MBE

Dr Dame Iritana Te Rangi Tāwhiwhirangi has developed a career devoted to whanau development and Maori language revitalisation for which she has been awarded the DNZM, MBE and Honorary Doctor of Philosophy. She is a pioneer, trail blazer and leader. Dame Iritana’s opinion has been sought by successive Prime Ministers of NZ, as well as by Ministers from a number of other countries.

Iritana trained as a primary school teacher and was appointed to an early teaching position working alongside one of New Zealand’s foremost educationists Sylvia Ashton-Warner. Her career in education (1948 – 1962) was followed by a career in Maori Affairs (1963 – 1982). At Maori Affairs she climbed through the ranks to hold senior management positions, often the first Maori woman to be appointed to hold the rank she did. She was the inaugural CEO of the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust (1982 – 2002).

Dame Iritana’s current governance roles include: Trustee, Te Kohanga Reo National Trust; Deputy Chair Maori Education Trust; Chairperson, Te Pataka Ohanga; Ako Aotearoa, Maori Caucus; Families  Commission  Whanau  Reference  Group; and, Lady President of NZ Maori Golf Association. Dame Iritana is of Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngapuhi, Canadian and English descent.

Programme:

1.30pm      Powhiri

2.00pm      Refreshments

2.30pm      Lecture:  Ian McKinnon

3.10pm      Entertainment

3.40pm      Lecture:  Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi

4.00pm      Closing comments:  Sir Edward Taihakurei Durie

Also… keep an eye on our blog for more events celebrating Te Rā o Waitangi! We’ll keep you up to date and in the know!

February Festivities: Waitangi Day, Wellington’s Chinese New Year Festival, & Valentine’s Day

wclstaff

We’ve had a lot on already this month (history, culture and remembrance on Waitangi Day), and a lot still to come – with cultural fun and food at Wellington’s Chinese New Year Festival this weekend and romance in the air ahead of Valentine’s Day next week!

We’ve collected some facts about this month’s celebrations for you from our collection – have a read!

Waitangi Day – Monday 6th February 2012

Treaty of WaitangiWaitangi Day was observed this year on Monday 6th February. Public holidays are always enjoyable, but it’s important to remember that Waitangi Day is much more than a day off:

  • On the 6th of February 1840, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, what is considered to be New Zealand’s founding document.
  • Since then this has led to debate over exactly what was agreed to at Waitangi. Most Maori chiefs signed the Maori language version of the Treaty – and there are some important differences between the English and Maori versions of the Treaty
  • February 6th was first officially commemorated in 1934, and it has been a public holiday since 1974
  • Prior to 1934, most celebrations of New Zealand’s founding as a colony were marked on 29 January, the date on which William Hobson arrived in the Bay of Islands
  • This day was also known briefly as New Zealand Day

Read more about the Treaty:

Wellington’s Chinese New Year Festival – 11th & 12th February 2012

Chinese New Year LanternChinese New Year fell on January 23rd this year, and to celebrate Wellington will be having a Chinese New Year Festival on the 11th and 12th of February. The se celebrations are brought to you by the Asian Events Trust in partnership with Wellington City Council, and information about events happening over the weekend can be found at: chinesenewyear.co.nz

Some facts for you:

  • Chinese New Year is traditionally a Spring festival, and one of the most important festivities in the lunar calendar
  • Celebrations take place over 15 days
  • 2012 is the Year of the Dragon
  • The most common Chinese phrases for saying “Happy New Year” are “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (Mandarin) and “Gong He Faat Choy” (Cantonese)

Chinese New Year Dragon

Read more about Chinese New Year:

Valentine’s Day – Tuesday 14th February

CupidYes, we’re just about at that time of year when florists and candy stores try to persuade us to purchase gifts for loved ones. But is it all just a commercial gimmick? Every wondered what this lovey dovey day is actually all about? Well look no further, we have some answers. Valentine’s Day…

Read more about Valentine’s Day: