Auckland Libraries

This episode of Books and Beyond features Alison in conversation with local author Lil O’Brien, who has recently released her memoir Not that I’d kiss a girl: a Kiwi girl’s tale of coming out and coming of age. Tune in and find out how Lil’s sadness and subtext became motorbikes, main text and happy endings. 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 6 September 2020.

Discover a fascinating and informative read with Māngere East Library manager Amelia Antonio's review in te gagana Tokelau and English of Tokelau: people, atolls and history by New Zealand-born Tokelauan author, Peter McQuarrie. Te vaiaho o te gagana Tokelau Tokalau Language Week is Sunday 25 October - Saturday 31 October 2020 Apoapo tau foe, i nā tāfea i te galutau. Ke mau mai, ke mau mai - Never give up hope, even amidst chaos and much uncertainty. Stay united, stay strong You can find this book on the library catalogue here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2253704

From out of the housing crisis towards the end of the Second World War, Auckland City's mayor John Allum came up with the idea of turning former military camps into transit housing, filling the gap between inadequate slum areas and better homes provided by the government schemes, amongst others. The idea took hold nationwide for a time, until the crisis eventually eased. Today, hardly anything remains. Join Lisa Truttman as she talks about the stories and the lives at Auckland's five transit housing camps, at Mt Victoria in Devonport, Western Springs, Victoria Park, the Auckland Domain, and Camp Bunn near Panmure. Click on the link to view this talk on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8GOLCJHNvQ Image: Baby pictured at Titoki street camp, courtesy Tony Brunt Recorded at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Central Library on September 27 2020

Enjoy Pacific Heritage Advisor Daren Kamali's review of Josefa and the Vu by Fijian/Tongan/Kaivalagi author Tulia Thompson, available as a book and eBook in our catalogue. A must-read for adventure-loving kids aged 7-12, tradition and high-stakes action collide when Josefa must recover a precious whaletooth tabua stolen by the school bully with the help of a giant ancestral warrior spirit or Vu and his friend Ming. Macawa ni vosa Vakaviti Fiji Language Week runs from Sunday 4 October/Okotova – Saturday 10 October/ Okotova 2020. This year's theme is "Noqu Vosa, Noqu isema bula” – My language, my living link Find this book in our library catalogue here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2259831

This talk is part of the Auckland Heritage Festival 2020. On this site overlooking Windmill Park and Mt Eden Road, a well-known landmark once stood proud. Even after it was ravaged by time, the remains of William Mason's windmill caught the imagination of photographers, poets, and visitors to the St Andrews Road ridge in the first half of last century. Join local historian Lisa Truttman as she uncovers the history of this early windmill, which produced some of the city’s first flour "when the winds were blowing". Also, she shares stories of the later owners up to its demolition. Image: A view of the remains of Bycroft's Windmill in St Andrews Road, Epsom, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 4-1528

This talk was originally scheduled to take place at the Avondale Library as part of Auckland Heritage Fesitval 2020. Join local historian Lisa Truttman as she goes back in time to when Avondale and its racecourse had a brief place in early aviation history. As Auckland experienced 'aeroplane fever' in 1913, young adventurers Frederick Esk Sandford and William Stanley Miller worked at perfecting their re-modelled biplane Manurewa No. 1 on the Avondale Racecourse. This is the 107-year anniversary of these incredible flights. Image: Showing Frederick Sandford and William Miller with their biplane at Avondale Racecourse, Auckland, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1370-8-1

Kia ora koutou – welcome to this Auckland Libraries podcast. The talks in this series were originally to be delivered as live events as part of the Auckland Heritage festival. The following talk was originally to be presented at New Lynn library. Today’s speaker is Historian Lisa Truttman. Lisa is a regular speaker for Auckland Libraries, generously sharing her research and knowledge especially during the Auckland Heritage Festival every year. She is currently the President of the NZ History Federation and belongs to several history and heritage societies. She is an author, writing and editing for several journals and newsletters. Lisa also shares her research on her blog Timespanner. Please note that this talk contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. A brutal 1928 crime and murder on New Lynn’s Cardwell Street made headlines around the country and the infamy of it all stained the name of the street so much that residents petitioned to have it changed a year later. It was to

Sue Berman caught up with exhibition curators Elspeth Orwin and Harriet Rogers for a walk around the Food for Thought exhibition, In this track they describe some of the collection items on view in the exhibition. https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/pages/event.aspx?EventId=10242 You can visit the Food for Thought exhibition at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, the Central City Library from 28 September 2020 – 31 January 2021 This exhibition celebrates the role food plays in family, belonging and culture with stories of Auckland life from kitchen table to restaurant banquet. It includes a feast of material from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections’ rare books, manuscripts, menus, posters and oral histories. No reservation required.

Rare books specialist Jane Wild, caught up with Alexa Johnston for a chat about the history and hero's of the Edmonds Cookery Book through the ages. You can see a variety of Heritage Collection's cook books, including the famous Edmonds cookery book in the Food for Thought exhibition. Check out this 1910 edition on Kura Heritage Collections https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/rarebooks/id/7164/rec/1 Interview with Alexa Johnston, September 2020 for the Food for Thought exhibition. You can visit the Food for Thought exhibition at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, the Central City Library from 28 September 2020 – 31 January 2021 www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/pages/even…ntId=10242 This exhibition celebrates the role food plays in family, belonging and culture with stories of Auckland life from kitchen table to restaurant banquet. It includes a feast of material from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections’ rare books, manuscripts, menus, posters and oral histories. No reservation required.

This talk was originally scheduled to take place at the Blockhouse Bay Library as part of Auckland Heritage Fesitval 2020. Long before George Wilder became a New Zealand legend with his prison escapes and the manhunts to apprehend him, there was Isaac Robinson, ex-soldier and serial-escapee from the Mt Eden stockade. Taking place over 150 years ago, his story spans from Ngāruawāhia to the Waitākeres, with at least one incident taking place in Blockhouse Bay. He captured the public imagination for several months in 1866, then six years later vanished without a trace. Lisa relates the lost tale of Isaac Robinson, the man no prison could hold for very long. Image: 'General view of Mount Eden Gaol', Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A14496

In this track Sue Berman shares voices from Auckland Libraries oral history and sound archive which tell a fishy tale. We begin with the voice of Mabel Kewene who in 1983 delivered a talk to the Māngere Bridge Historical Society that included reflections of growing up in Māngere and gathering shell fish in the Manukau Harbour along the coast. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2382/rec/17 Najib Corban recall his childhood fishing in the Henderson Creek and the plentiful nature of a catch of sprats. Born in 1909, this interview was conducted in his 94th year. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/785/rec/2 This next track is the voice of Beverly Reed, she also describes fishing on the Manukau Harbour and the plentiful nature of fish prior to pollution in the waterways. She also recalls Mrs Gossleman’s fish van outside Lopdell House in Titirangi. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/1062/rec/1 Image

The track includes voices from the Auckland Libraries Oral History Collection. In the first track we hear the voice of Helene Ataya [Nee Corban] Helena was born in 1911, the youngest daughter of Henderson's pioneer winemakers Assid and Najibie Corban. Here she recalls the list of fresh produce grown by her mother including some of the special ingredients needed for Lebanese cooking. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/761/rec/3 In the next track we hear Alice Palmer recall her family Christmas dinner food and mention of a very special addition to the Christmas pudding. In 2014 Sue Gee interviewed Connie Kum for an oral history project from Guangdong to Aotearoa. In this final track we hear Connie talk about celebration Chinese food and the meaning the different foods represent. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/1646/rec/2 Image: Roadside fruit stall, Henderson, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, JTD-14A-03476 https://kura.

Sue Berman talks with Teri Taukoriri about growing up in Kiribati and her favourite fish and cooking methods here in New Zealand. In the first part Teri recalls everyday meals and then shares memories of special celebrations and associated cooking in Kiribati. Fish is everyday, chicken every now and then but pigs are for special occasions. Teri goes on to talk about how important fish is to the family here in New Zealand and her favourite way to cook and prepare fish. This track includes a surprising use for Kina! References: Teri Taukoriri, 2019, interview with Sue Berman, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, OH_1297_002 Preparing a pig for a feast, 1928, photographer Milton Vickery, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection, 1467-ALB274-095-5 You can visit the Food for Thought exhibition at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, the Central City Library from 28 September 2020 – 31 January 2021 https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/pages/event.aspx?EventId=10242 This exhibition celebrates the role food plays in fa

Sue Berman caught up with Sue Gee for a chat about the family food story and ingredients that culminated in her father, Jack Chong's recipe book being produced to compliment his special marinades. You can see 'Jack Chong's new look cook book : exciting new ways to cook Chinese and Kiwi food" in the Food for Thought exhibition. https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3805635 Interview with Sue Gee, September 2020 for the Food for Thought exhibition. Image: Sue Gee with the book, 2020, by Sue Berman You can visit the Food for Thought exhibition at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, the Central City Library from 28 September 2020 – 31 January 2021 https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/pages/event.aspx?EventId=10242 This exhibition celebrates the role food plays in family, belonging and culture with stories of Auckland life from kitchen table to restaurant banquet. It includes a feast of material from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections’ rare books, manuscripts, menus, posters and oral hi

Talofa! Take a trip to Tuvalu with twelve-year-old Ielemia from Rānui. Iele reviews Fun on the Runway by Jill MacGregor in te' gana Tuvalu. He loved reading about how the runway in Funafuti Tuvalu connects everyone on the island. Oi tou fai, Iele - you're awesome! Vaiaso o te 'Gana Tuvalu Tuvalu Language Week 2020 is Sunday 27 September to Saturday 3 October. You can find this book on the libraries catalogue here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3489444

Kickstart your comic obsession with James' review of graphic novel series Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples. Lovers Alana and Marko are from two opposing worlds enmeshed in intergalactic war - with daughter Hazel, they are a dangerous symbol of life as it could be. Comic Book Take 3 runs from September 21 to October 11 - borrow any three graphic novels, comics or manga in our libraries or on OverDrive/Libby to be automatically in the draw to win passes to Auckland Armageddon or a Beyond Reality Media graphic novel pack! See our blog: bit.ly/2ZWK0EN for details and Ts & Cs. You can find the first in the Saga series in our catalogue here: https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2700097

This episode looks at Queen Street’s landforms and its role as a gathering place for Aucklanders. The landform of Queen Street has been shaped by both natural and man-made forces. Join Rebecca Freeman (Senior Specialist Historic Heritage, Auckland Council) and Marguerite Hill (Heritage Researcher, Auckland Council) as we explore the impacts of the Waihorotiu Stream, the Albert Park volcano and early land reclamations on the Queen Street we know today. Queen Street teams with intangible heritage: events that have happened there but have left no physical mark. It is a gathering place for people, and it has become the place for Aucklanders to parade, protest and celebrate. Queen Street has seen two riots and dozens of Santa parades, as well as numerous peaceful protests. Tune in to hear about a few of these events. Sources: Landforms Auckland City Heritage Walks – The Original Foreshore Best, Simon. (1989). The Queen Street Gaol: Auckland’s First Courthouse, Common Gaol and House of Correction (site R11/1

Tom the elephant arrived in Auckland with his owner Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, in December 1870. Despite his visit to Auckland only lasting five weeks, he left an impression on Aucklanders, especially local children. Join Rebecca Freeman, (Senior Specialist Historic Heritage Auckland Council) and Marguerite Hill, (Heritage Researcher Auckland Council) to find out about Tom’s time here in Auckland. Source: Timespanner https://timespanner.blogspot.com/2009/07/princes-elephant.html Reference for image: Excerpt from New Zealand Herald, 9 December 1870, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18701209.2.22

Simone Nathan was a visionary leader in causes affecting both women and children, both in New Zealand and abroad. Despite her many significant successes, she is often remembered more for her marriage to wealthy merchant David Nathan, than her own work and contributions. Join Rebecca Freeman, (Senior Specialist Historic Heritage Auckland Council) and Marguerite Hill, (Heritage Researcher Auckland Council) for this interview on the life and work of Simone Nathan, with a particular focus on her efforts to extend Plunket-style infant welfare centers to Palestine through her involvement with the Women’s International Zionist Organisation. Sources: Matthews & Matthews Architects Ltd. (2019). David Nathan Park and Homestead, Manurewa Auckland: Conservation Plan. Trotter, S.A. (2019). Zionism ‘at the uttermost ends of the earth’: A New Zealand social history c.1900-1948 (Doctoral thesis). University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Women’s International Zionist Organisation website. http://www.Wizo.org Refer

Join Rebecca Freeman (Senior Specialist Historic Heritage, Auckland Council) and Marguerite Hill (Heritage Researcher, Auckland Council) to hear about Queen Street’s cinemas and department stores. If you really wanted to go shopping in the days before suburban malls, you needed to head to Queen Street and Karangahape Road. There were five major department stores in central Auckland during the twentieth century. Three of these were on Queen Street: Smith and Caughey's and Milne and Choyce were an upmarket, luxury shopping experience, while John Court was a family-friendly alternative. Since the first films were screened in Auckland in the 1890s, cinema became an entertainment sensation, rivaling and eventually surpassing live theatre, vaudeville and opera as the most popular form of recreation and entertainment. Listen in to find out where Queen Street’s cinemas were located, and how the technology and theatre experience developed and changed from 1910 to 1990. Sources: Cinemas Ben Schrader, 'Theatres