Auckland Libraries

Join Alison and Ineka in the Literary Lounge for an Auckland Writers’ Festival special. The books we highlight are all heartbreaking works of staggering genius. Listen along for some great quips and quotes from our featured authors.

Alison chats with retired judge Rosemary Riddell about her book To be fair: confessions of a district court judge. Rosemary says that, in writing the book “I wanted people to see that judges are not high and mighty or unreachable. We are just ordinary people doing a rather demanding and difficult job, and it is a job that keeps our feet on the ground.” Listen and find out what a day on the bench in our court system looks like. Our verdict on Rosemary’s book? Fabulous. Discover the book here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3904061

In this episode we hear Haunui Royal talking with Cristina Sanders about her recently published novel Jerningham. Jerningham refers to Jerningham Wakefield the only son of NZ Company founder Edward Gibbon Wakefield . He was described by various commentators as a wastrel, a failure, talented and intelligent but reckless, weak-willed, contentious, promiscuous, and generally unstable. Governor Fitzroy described him as ‘the devil's missionary'! Cristina explores the character of her novel and tells us about the research journey in writing a historical fiction. Book available here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3780091 Catalogue search on Jerningham: https://tinyurl.com/vte2txbk Image: Book Cover

Alison talks with author Danielle Hawkins about the release of her new book Two shakes of a lamb’s tail: the diary of a country vet. Danielle is a Waikato vet, mother, farmer, wife, family member and gardener, with four best-selling novels to her name. This book is a diary through the four seasons of 2020 – and what a year it was, with a pandemic and a drought. Combine this with a drunken literary festival, rampant gorse in the back paddock, some successful matchmaking and several intimate examinations of very large and grumpy animals, and you get a ripper of a book. Discover the book here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3875558

Alison talks with author Danielle Hawkins about the release of her new book Two shakes of a lamb’s tail: the diary of a country vet. Danielle is a Waikato vet, mother, farmer, wife, family member and gardener, with four best-selling novels to her name. This book is a diary through the four seasons of 2020 – and what a year it was, with a pandemic and a drought. Combine this with a drunken literary festival, rampant gorse in the back paddock, some successful matchmaking and several intimate examinations of very large and grumpy animals, and you get a ripper of a book.

Join Alison and Ineka in the Literary Lounge as they pay tribute to the unwanted, unneeded, unseen & lonely. They also discover who rides upon sticks and who makes the best coffee and brioche on the planet. Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Listen and read more on the Auckland Libraries blog: https://aucklandlibrariesblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Books%20and%20Beyond This episode originally aired on Planet FM 104.6 on 4 April 2021.

Auckland Libraries has just celebrated the publication of its first te reo Māori children’s book: Māma, e hiakai ana mātou - Mum, we’re hungry. The book has also been translated into Samoan as Tinā, ua mātou fia'a'ai! This is a universal story that has been written with aroha and alofa. Everyone will relate to its warmth and wit. Alison is joined in the studio by two wonderful wāhine: Teri Ta’ala (author) and Veronica Ligaliga (translator) to talk through the process of writing and launching this book. Discover the books here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3900203 https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3900204 Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Listen and read more on the Auckland Libraries blog: https://aucklandlibrariesblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Books%20and%20Beyond This episode originally aired on

On this week's Books and Beyond, Alison talks with the award-winning author Paul Cleave about the release of his new thriller 'The Quiet People'. Master of both the pen and the Frisbee, Paul is one of our most internationally successful authors. Listen to the show and find out if a crime writer really can get away with murder. Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. Listen and read more on the Auckland Libraries blog: https://aucklandlibrariesblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Books%20and%20Beyond This episode originally aired on Planet FM 104.6 on 11 April 2021.

Kia ora listeners you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! In this track Les Allen recalls the market gardens that covered Panmure when he was a child, and tells a story about a day that Chinese grower Jimmy Hong took his produce to the city by truck. Reference Les Allen interview, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2300/rec/2 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2874/rec/1 Image: Houses in Court Crescent under construction, and Chinese market gardens in the background. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, 1031-P245. https://bit.ly/2OJlhS7 Curated by Renee Orr and Zoe Colling f

Kia ora listeners you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! In this track Les Allen remembers his grandparents time working as toll keepers for the first Panmure draw bridge, and how the archaeological remains of Mokoia Pā were still visible before houses were built there. Reference Les Allen interview, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2300/rec/2 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2874/rec/1 Image: Oliver and Walker, NZ Graphic. The Panmure bridge and toll keepers house, 1912. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, NZG-19120703-26-1. https://bit.ly/2QksI2B Curated by Renee Orr

Kia ora listeners you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! In this track Les Allen describes delivering plants to shops in the city in the Allen Nurseries’ Model T truck. Les Allen was involved in the family business 'Allens Nurseries' in Panmure his whole working life. He recalls his father starting Allen’s Nurseries in the early twentieth century and how the family kept it going through the depression, as well as what the landscape was like in the area at that time. Reference Les Allen interview, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2300/rec/2 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/28

Kia ora listeners, you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! Miss Annie Finnerty attended secondary school at Auckland Girls Grammar off Karangahape Road. In this track Annie and her brother Michael describe the different forms of transport needed to get there. Bill Durbridge recalls the large crowds who attended boat races and swimming competitions held on the Tāmaki River. Reference Annie and Michael Finnerty interview, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2707/rec/2 Reference Bill Durbridge interview, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2616/rec/2 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibrarie

Kia ora listeners you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! Mrs Harwood and her husband Eric were volunteers with the Mt Wellington volunteer Fire Brigade. In this track Mrs Harwood recalls how the volunteers fought the frequent gorse fires in the area. Reference Mrs Harwood, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2361/rec/2 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2874/rec/1 Image: Crichton d'Ora. The Mount Wellington Fire Brigade and their engine outside the fire station on the corner of Harding Avenue and the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway, 1933. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, 1031-P4

Kia ora listeners, you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! In this track Mr Keith Simpson talks about the types of footpaths and roads in Panmure and about being approached by a land agent regarding his property. Playing tennis in his leisure time and cycling to a hardware store in Otahuhu. Reference Mr and Mrs Simpson, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2375/rec/2 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2874/rec/1 Unknown photographer. Aerial photograph of Panmure, showing Panmure Basin (centre distance), the ferro-concrete bridge (left), St Matthias's church and graveyard (centre lef

Kia ora listeners, you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! In this track, Mt Wellington Borough Council Mayor Harry Bean, talks about transport routes, proposed motorways, and investing in the railroad system. Reference Harry Bean, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2407/rec/2 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2874/rec/1 Image: James D. Richardson. Looking south east from Maungarei / Mount Wellington showing part of the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway (right) and the Panmure Basin and Tāmaki River (distance), 3 September 1921. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, 4-4062. https://bi

Kia ora listeners, you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! In this track, Mrs. Price talks about her time milking cows, including her special cow named Betty, and the physical labour involved. Reference Mrs Price interview, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2610/rec/3 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2874/rec/1 Image: James Richardson. Looking south south east from Mount Wellington towards Otahuhu, 1920 Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 4-04055 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/67899/rec/21 Curated by Renee Orr and Zoe Colling from Auck

Kia ora listeners, you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! Mr Ryan bought his service station in Panmure in 1935 off his friend Reginald Collins. In this track he describes Reg Collins’ livestock transportation business on a scow called the Jane Gifford, and how livestock would come from the gulf islands down the Tāmaki river to Panmure on their way to the Westfield Freezing Works. Reference Mr Ryan interview, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2419/rec/2 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2874/rec/1 Image: The scow Jane Gifford moored near Ōrere Point, 1936. Auckland Libraries He

Kia ora listeners, you have tuned into Auckland Libraries Heritage Podcast - Panmure Stories! Hilda McGregor’s father was a mechanic during the 1930s and 40s. A large part of his business was servicing the trucks owned by Chinese market gardeners in the area. In this track Hilda and Durham remember the growers and how they supported the local community with excess produce during the depression. Reference Hilda McGregor and Durham Strauchan, 1982 https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2241/rec/2 Original interviews were recorded by Richard Baker, commissioned by Mt Wellington Public Library in 1982. The project captured recollections of life, work and play from the early 1900s across the changing landscapes of the decades that followed. They offer us a unique and personal insight into Panmure of the past. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2874/rec/1 Image: Auckland Weekly News. Gathering the potato crop in New Zealand: busy scene at

In this episode of Books & Beyond, Alison chats with author, educator and personal finance journalist Mary Holm, whose latest book is 'A richer you: how to make the most of your money'. Listen along for a fun and frank discussion of Financial Literacy 101, and discover the book here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3820928 Read more on the Auckland Libraries blog: https://aucklandlibrariesblog.blogspot.com/2021/03/financial-literacy-101.html Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. This episode originally aired on Planet FM 104.6 on 28 March 2021.

On 15 March 2021 Aotearoa marked the second anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attacks, remembering those tragically killed and their loved ones. In the Literary Lounge, Alison and Ineka recommend a selection of books by Muslim authors and other recent reads, all exploring how far we travel in our search for identity, belonging and forgiveness. Read more on the Auckland Libraries blog: aucklandlibrariesblog.blogspot.com Auckland Libraries' radio show Books and Beyond explores the world of books with guest authors, recommended reads, gems from the Central City Library basement and… beyond. This episode originally aired on Planet FM 104.6 on 21 March 2021.