Auckland Libraries

Some exciting news to spice up this Literary Lounge Lockdown episode - the 2021 Booker Prize shortlist has just been announced. Alison and Ineka discuss the list and recommend some read-alike titles you could crack into while you wait to get hold of the reading world’s latest hot-ticket items.

Whakarongo (listen) as Poukokiri Rangahau Māori / Senior Māori Research Librarian Xavier Forsman reviews a favourite pukapuka, Purple Heart by Ta'afuli Andrew Fiu, in te reo Māori. Available as an eBook on OverDrive and Libby and written in English, this inspiring memoir tells Fiu's story of growing up Samoan in Aotearoa and his experience of living with rheumatic fever. Through hospital stays, six heart surgeries and racial discrimination, his spirit remains strong nourished by the support of family and friends. Mahuru Māori (1 - 30 Mahuru) is a chance to celebrate one of the official languages of Aotearoa. This year’s theme is: Tōku reo, tōku tūrangawaewae. My language, my home. Find this book on the libraries' catalogue here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3143841

It's an honour to present to you Librarian Raniera Kingi (Poukōkiri Rangahau Māori) in conversation with the author and educator Hēmi Kelly. Hēmi (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Whāoa) is a lecturer in te reo Māori at AUT. He is the author of ‘A Māori Word a Day,’ ‘A Māori Phrase a Day,’ translator of Te ruānuku / The Alchemist for the Kōtahi Rau Pukapuka project; and runs Everyday Māori on Facebook and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaymaori/.

In this track Bruce Ralston talks us through an entry into family history writing. Bruce is editor of The New Zealand Genealogist and Chair of the Ted Gilberd Literary Trust that supports writing of family history. With a long career in libraries and archives, together with a half century of genealogical research, he is conscious of the struggle many have converting their research into formats that will engage other people. While a published family history is a fine objective, there are many other ways to tackle the matter in smaller bites. Music: When it all falls by Ketsa

It’s another lockdown Literary Lounge with Alison and Ineka. So, grab a cuppa and make yourself comfy as we highlight the hilarious, the forbidden and the confessional corridors of our collections.

It’s pouffes at 20 paces again because Alison and Ineka are in literary lockdown. As well as more chat about the Booker’s Dozen, you’ll find out what they’ve been reading and get some great tips about making the most of your library membership during Level 4 for all your reading, watching and listening requirements.

"Craigavon is the western-most reserve at Blockhouse Bay. So far west, that at some points during its story, the folks at Green Bay saw fit to lay a bit of a claim to it, at least in spirit". In this episode of the Whau Heritage Stories series, Lisa Truttman delivers a history of the land and people associated with the area currently known as Craigavon Park and the associated Motu Moana camp site. Recorded live on 17 June, 2021 at Blockhouse Bay Library. The Whau Heritage Stories series supported by the Whau Local Board and Auckland Libraries. Sound record: SA_0137_002. Image Credit: Merrilyn from Blockhouse Bay library, 2021

The St Andrews Church Hall on Margan Ave in New Lynn has one odd chapter to its history: it was the scene of a theft, a crime for which no perpetrators were ever found …. and that theft involved a Vickers machine-gun and ammunition. Seems rather at odds with the rest of the building’s story!" In this episode Lisa Truttman shares a Whau Heritage Story from New Lynn that gripped that nation. Recorded live on 13 June, 2021 at New Lynn Library. The Whau Heritage Stories series supported by the Whau Local Board and Auckland Libraries. Sound record: SA_0137_005 Image credit: https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/300-vickers-machine-gun-mechanism-made-easy/26802046 retrieved 26/08/2021

"Motu means island, and Mānawa means, among other things, mangrove. The mangrove is Avicennia marina australasica, a native species to New Zealand for the past millions of years. Motu Mānawa is known also as Pollen Island, and the island obscured today by a motorway, Motu Te Kou, means fish hook. It is known also as Traherne Island..." In this episode Lisa Truttman shares a Whau Heritage Story that stretches across the island and seascape of te Whau. Recorded live on 22 May, 2021 at Avondale Library. The Whau Heritage Stories series supported by the Whau Local Board and Auckland Libraries. Sound record: SA_0137_004

If you look back far enough, you’ll come across a rather intriguing plan which dates from 1859 for the two townships of Whau North and South (today’s Blockhouse Bay). What was behind all those names slapped across the plan of the landscape from the Manukau Harbour to the Whau Creek back in 1859? Where’d they come from? In this episode Lisa Truttman shares a Whau Heritage Story from Blockhouse Bay to the Whau Creek. Recorded live on 13 May, 2021 at Blockhouse Bay Library. The Whau Heritage Stories series supported by the Whau Local Board and Auckland Libraries. Sound record: SA_0137_003 Image credit: Townships Whau, north and south, Map, Archives NZ, R22822741

"It can and should be remembered that one of the places where the legendary Māori Battalion began was a small semi-rural backwater in Auckland called Avondale". In this episode Lisa Truttman shares a Whau Heritage Story linking a wider history of the Māori Battalion to Avondale’s racecourse which was the chosen site of the training camp, named “Waiatarua". Recorded live on 24st April, 2021 at Avondale Library. The Whau Heritage Stories series supported by the Whau Local Board and Auckland Libraries. Sound record: SA_0137_002,

"One summer’s day, in December 1881, two days before Christmas, Lawrence Teirney got off his horse bus outside the Whau Hotel on the Great North Road, took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and offered....an expression of the art of fisticuffs in the otherwise quiet rural surroundings. There was a fair bit that led to that moment, and a fair bit after it an’ all" In this episode Lisa Truttman shares a Whau Heritage Story from New Lynn, through the lens of horse bus driver Lawrence Teirney. Recorded live on 21st April, 2021 at New Lynn Library. The Whau Heritage Stories series supported by the Whau Local Board and Auckland Libraries. Sound record: SA_0137_001 Image Credit: Teirney family collection

Part 2: In this second part of an interview with Theia, she talks about her love of Carole King, and why she chose the album Tapestry from our collection. We also talk about the band for the Te Kaahu project, and how that came together. References: Tapestry (CD) – Carole King (1971) https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2323287 Tracks used: You’ve Got A Friend – Carole King So Far Away – Carole King

Part 1: In this episode Dedee chats to Theia about three of her music videos – one of them filmed in L.A. just before the city went into lockdown. We talk about her Te Kaahu project, where she writes and performs songs all in te reo Maori. Theia shares what it was like being forced to come home early due to Covid, but getting to perform online at ‘cyber concerts’, and how this can break down barriers for artists in physical spaces. References: Theia (CD) – Theia (2017) https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3365550 Undertheradar website - Premiere + Interview: Theia x Vayne Share Video For 'CREEP' (Annabel Kean, Thursday 8th April, 2021) https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/18408/Premiere--Interview-Theia-x-Vayne-Share-Video-For-CREEP.utr Tracks used: 99% Angel – Theia E Hine Ē – Te Kaahu Celebrity - Theia Creep - Theia and Vayne Music videos: TE KAAHU - E Hine Ē - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IutIfEfrEe0&ab_channel=TEKAAHU (3 August 2021) THEIA – Celebrity - https://

Alison and Ineka present the second part of their preview of the Booker's dozen - the thirteen titles that have made the 2021 Booker Prize Longlist. Listen along and discover some additional read-alike titles to devour while you are waiting to get hold of those mouth-watering Booker books.

In this talk, keen genealogist and MyHeritage representative Elena Fowler explains how MyHeritage can help you learn more about your family history and genealogy. Find out what MyHeritage contains and how to navigate the website. Access to MyHeritage is available through the Auckland Libraries website. Music: When it all falls by Ketsa

Alison and Ineka talk about some recent reads before dipping into the just-announced Booker’s dozen – the thirteen titles that have made this year’s Booker Prize Longlist. They even have some suggestions for books to read while you are waiting to get hold of those mouth-watering Booker titles.

In this talk Principal Oral History advisor Sue Berman takes the listener on an engaging tour of the oral histories and sound recordings available in the Auckland Libraries oral history heritage collection. Check out the oral history collection here: https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory Music: When it falls by Ketsa

Alison and Ineka discuss fictional lives worth writing and reading about.

In this episode we turn our attention to the Frank Reed Dumas Collection held in the Heritage collections of Auckland Libraries. This most significant Dumas collection outside of France was put together by Frank Reed from Whangarei. It's an extraordinary achievement and fascinating story. In this track Haunui Royal is joined by Kate de Courcy who spent many years arranging and working with the Reed Dumas Collection. Current catalogue reference: tinyurl.com/bxe4c473 To access this collection or to find out more please email: specialcollections@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz And ask about the Reed Dumas Collection