Septembers suite of events at the National Library

The Team from Alexander Turnbull Library

Kia ora everyone
Due to COVID-19 some of our events can be cancelled or postponed at very short notice. Please check the National Library website for updated information about individual events before you come.

‘A real war job at last?’ Māori women and the armed forces during the Second World War
Date: Wednesday 2 September 2020, 12:10pm to 1pm
Cost: Free event
Location: Taiwhanga Kahau — Auditorium, National Library Wellington. Entrance on Aitken Street.
Part of the Public History Talk — 2020 series
Of the many books published about New Zealand’s military history there are none specifically dedicated to the story of Māori women who served in the armed forces during the Second World War. This presentation looks at the recruitment of Māori women into the auxiliary services, why they joined, and how their wartime service impacted on their post-war lives.

Wellington’s first Pākehā arrivals: 1803-1839
Date: Wednesday 2 September 2020, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Cost: Free event. RSVP essential.
Location: Programme Rooms, Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon, Wellington
Contact details: turnbullfriends@gmail.com
Part of the Friends of the Turnbull Public Programme — 2020 series
Just who were the early European visitors and residents who made the region around Whanganui-a-Tara their home well before the arrival of the ‘official’ permanent settlers of Wellington in 1840? Rhys Richards will tell us about some of these early arrivals.

Tupu’anga (mo e Teu Tangata)
Date: Wednesday 9 September 2020, 12:10pm to 1pm
Cost: Free event.
Location: Taiwhanga Kahau — Auditorium, National Library Wellington. Entrance on Aitken Street.
Part of the Pasifika Spectacular series
Come and hear a talanoa of family stories from three generations of Sarah Finau’s family. This talk is an exploration of the call to live in Aotearoa, and the ever-constant magnetic pull home — ki Tonga.

Knowledge is a blessing on your mind: Wānanga and the Scientific Project
Date: Monday 14 September 2020, 6pm to 7pm
Cost: Free. Booking essential.
Location: Taiwhanga Kahau — Auditorium, National Library Wellington. Entrance on Aitken Street.
Contact details: turnbullfriends@gmail.com
Part of the Friends of the Turnbull Public Programme — 2020 series
Dame Anne Salmond, Distinguished Professor of Māori Studies and Anthropology at the University of Auckland, will deliver the 2020 Friends of the Turnbull Library Founder Lecture.

Working from home: resources you can access online
Date: Tuesday 15 September 2020, 12:10pm to 1pm
Cost: Free event.
Location: Programme Rooms, Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon, Wellington
Whether you are experienced or new to family history, there is material available online through the National Library that you can access. Joan McCracken from the Alexander Turnbull Library will explore some of the well-known resources (PapersPast, Digital NZ) and look at some that you might be new to you.

National Preservation Office Conservation Clinic
Date: Tuesday 15 September 2020, 1pm to 2pm
Registrations close: Tuesday 15 September
Cost: Free
Location: Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken St, Thorndon, Wellington
Do you want to learn more about looking after your precious family taonga? Join Vicki-Anne Heikell from the Alexander Turnbull Library to learn more about the preservation of your treasured items-from physical books and papers to digital materials.

Te reo He Tohu tour
Date: Tuesday 15 Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September 2020, 12pm to 12:30pm
Cost: Free event
Location: Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken St, Thorndon, Wellington
Tours of He Tohu in te reo Māori as part of our celebration of Te wiki o te reo Māori 2020.

He Tohu Suffrage Tours: 127 Years of Women’s Suffrage
Date: Saturday 19 September 2020, 10am to 10:30am and 12pm to 12.30pm
Cost: Free event
Location: He Matapihi Molesworth Library, Te Ahumairangi ground floor, National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon
Come and celebrate the passing of the 1893 Electoral Act when women in New Zealand gained the right to vote! We will have suffrage tours of He Tohu to remember those who helped pave the way forward for us.

The Chee Kung Tong — Treasures from the Doris Chung Collection
Date: Tuesday 22 September 2020, 12:10pm to 1:10pm
Cost: Free talk. RSVP required ATLOutreach@dia.govt.nz
Location: Programme Rooms, Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon, Wellington
Part of the Chinese Language Week 2020 series
Come and hear about treasures from the Doris Chung Collection and a mysterious international organisation. The talk will be followed by a viewing of a selection from the collection.

Ngā Manu Rōreka
Date: Thursday 24 September 2020, 1pm to 2pm
Cost: Free event
Location: Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken St, Thorndon, Wellington
Blending te reo Māori and physical theatre, this musical production follows two students' journey to reconnect with their ancestors. Written by Apirana Taylor, translated into te reo Māori by Materoa Haenga. A Taki Rua theatre production.