Puke Ariki - News

Going big for Waitangi Day

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:40:49 GMT

Te Kaunihera-ā-Rohe o Ngāmotu is going big for this year’s Waitangi Day celebrations.

There will be big questions, big names, big community input and a gigantic tablecloth for the New Plymouth District Council’s communal picnic on Puke Ariki Landing.

Celebrations kick off with a Community Kōrero Workshop Series on 2 and 3 February.

These three free workshops are being held in the Noel and Melva Yarrow Education Room at Puke Ariki so people can learn about the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, how to implement it in their home and life and explore identity and growing roots in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

On Sunday, 5 February, Radio New Zealand’s Kim Hill will be hosting a one-hour panel discussion in the Puke Ariki Foyer asking the question – what does it mean to be us?

The panel will be made up of four well-known people (yet to be named) and the discussion kicks off at 1.30pm.

This will be aired on Waitangi Day during Hill’s live 8am to noon broadcast from Puke Ariki, where she will be joined by Alexander Turnbull Library Māori curator Paul Diamond for a kōrero with invited guests.

Members of the public are invited to be part of the audience for both the Sunday and Monday radio sessions, which are tied in with the Sounds Like Us exhibition now on at Puke Ariki. Entry is free for the broadcasts, but seating is limited.

The Waitangi Day events fit perfectly with the aims of the combined library, museum, information and research centre, says Puke Ariki manager Fi Emberton.

“Puke Ariki is a place for the community to hear other people’s opinions, points of view and to broaden minds,” Fi says. “That’s the business we are in and to talk about what it means to be a New Zealander now and in the future.”

From 11am to 1pm there will be a family picnic featuring a 60-metre-long tablecloth made especially for Waitangi Day and printed with 50 commonly used Māori words

The one-metre-wide cloth will be laid the length of the Landing for people to place their kai on during the shared BYO lunch.

While enjoying the picnic, people will be asked to write down answers to the question: “What is something that your family can do to honour the Treaty of Waitangi?”

There will also be musical entertainment from groups, including Soulovus and some of the top multi-cultural performers in Taranaki.

Mayor Harry Duynhoven says the events give the wider community the chance to come together for discussion and entertainment.

“The Treaty of Waitangi is at the heart of our identity as an independent nation and these events are a great way to get people talking about the treaty’s relevance and importance in our lives today,” says the Mayor.

“It’s also about celebrating being New Zealanders. I’m looking forward to seeing the landing packed for the picnic, and hearing what people have to say in the panel discussion and Community Kōrero series.”

Nau mai haere mai!

For more information about these events, visit What's On or contact Virginia Winder on 7596060 or 0276 423 294.

Funky Radio Fun

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:45:05 GMT

Lots of fun has been had at our Create A Funky Radio workshops. Check out the clever creations here on our website or see them on our Facebook page.

Myth Busting Taranaki Tikanga

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:38:41 GMT

Tikanga are Māori customs and traditions that have been handed down through the passages of time. These discussions intended to de-mystify and explain some of the protocols so studiously regarded by Ngāti Mutunga and why they are so important to their day to day life. This promises to be a revealing evening.

Add an e- reader to your Santa’s list....

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:42:35 GMT

Because ebooks are now available from Puke Ariki and Community Libraries!!

We have added virtual bookshelves to our collection and anyone who has a Puke Ariki library card and a suitable reading device can choose from more than 800 titles! And it is all totally free!

Ebooks are a fantastic way to take your favourite authors away with you on holiday – and there will be no overdue fees, you can’t forget to return them and they can’t get lost as the titles simply return to their virtual home automatically when the seven day loan period is over.

To be able to borrow e-books (which includes audio books) all you need is a reading device (such as an e-book reader, a computer or a mobile phone), an internet connection and your library card.

Access our virtual bookshelves from www.pukeariki.com – look for the ebook icon. This takes you to the ePukapuka Lower North Island Digital Library Group site where there are also comprehensive self-help guides on how the system works, what devices can be used, free software downloads and FAQ’s available.

Mutunga Kapahaka CANCELLED

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:17:12 GMT

Date: Sun 11 Dec 2011, 2.00pm

Venue: Main Exhibition Gallery, Puke Ariki

Due to unforeseen circumstances the planned kapahaka performance has been cancelled. The next performance by Te Roopu Kapahaka o Ngāti Mutunga takes place on Sunday 15 January at 2.00pm. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Free library catalogue training sessions

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:38:52 GMT

Discover the cool features our new library catalogue offers with free training sessions. Whether you are an online user or come to the library in person, these sessions will help you make full use of the new system.
They are being held at Puke Ariki at 10am on December 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 and 30. Call 7596060 or email library@npdc.govt.nz to book yourself a place!

Generous donation has huge historical significance

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:59:28 GMT

Puke Ariki has welcomed a very special addition to the collection.

The Banks' Florilegium consists of seven hundred and thirty-eight botanical prints which illustrate the plants collected by eminent natural historians Joseph Banks and Daniel Carl Solander on Captain James Cook's first voyage round the world on the Endeavour between 1768-1771.

The historical significance of Volumes 21 and 22, containing 46 prints of New Zealand plants collected during the expedition, is staggering.

“It is hard not to stand in awe in front of these volumes with their flawless drawings,” says Fi Emberton, Puke Ariki Manager. “But they are so much more than just beautiful illustrations of plants and flowers. They are the physical record of the beginning of New Zealand colonial history.”

Thanks to the generosity of Bryce and Delwyn Barnett, the prints have been given to the people of Taranaki in a donation facilitated by the Puke Ariki Development Charitable Trust (PADCT).

“Delwyn and I felt compelled to take this rare opportunity to bring these wonderful works to Puke Ariki , not only because Taranaki would be the perfect home for these botanical prints, but also because of their cultural history. It was also great chance to expand Puke Ariki’s already fantastic collection.” says Bryce

“As people who enjoy beautiful gardens ourselves and especially the results of other peoples labour in their own gardens, we believe it is a fitting treasure for the people of Taranaki to share.”

Published between 1980-and 1990 these prints are the first colour reproductions from the original eighteenth-century copperplates, which were made of the exceptional drawings done by the Endeavour’s botanical artist Sydney Parkinson. These copperplates were bequeathed by Sir Joseph Banks to the British Museum.

The Florilegium, and the amazing stories behind it, will be the subject of an exhibition next year.

I-SITE wins national innovation award

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:29:15 GMT

A vision to radically transform the customer experience in New Plymouth’s i-SITE has led to a national innovation award for New Plymouth District Council.

The interactive conversation tables at the visitor information facility at Puke Ariki, which allow visitors to personalise their searches for accommodation, cafes, bars and restaurants, activities and events and other services, have been announced as the winner of the ALGIM Innovation Award for 2011.

“We are delighted that our desire to use innovation and technology to provide the best possible customer service has been recognised.” says Kevin Glynn Manager Information and Communication Technology, New Plymouth District Council

“The team behind the project bought their skill, talent and determination to it and they should be very pleased and proud.”

The tables have proved to be extremely popular with both staff and customers. They utilise Google Maps with layers of information displayed according to the user’s interests, share information with the website and use a common administration system that updates information on the tables and website.

“It has been fantastic to get out from behind a desk and really interact with our customers to give them the best possible service we can. Everyone who comes in here loves using the tables to find the information they need to enjoy their visit to Taranaki and the staff like using them too.” says Karen Longstaff, Team Leader Visitor Experience Puke Ariki.

The technical project team from New Plymouth District Council worked closely with the i-SITE staff at Puke Ariki to radically transform the way customers were helped to find what they needed.

“We are delighted that the work done by the ICT team has been recognised in such a wonderful way” says Fiona Emberton, Manager Puke Ariki “The response from both staff and customers about the conservation tables has been overwhelmingly positive and they have been a great addition to Puke Ariki. We are now looking to capitalise on this investment by using the technology in other areas of Puke Ariki.”

The ALGIM Innovation Awards recognise and celebrate best practice within local government information technology and information management. They aim to encourage local authorities to be innovative and to exercise technological leadership through services to its community. The awards also promote the image of local government ICT throughout the wider community.

The Association of Local Government Information Management (ALGIM) represents the national and international interests of the information, communication and technology (ICT) sector within New Zealand’s city, district and regional councils.

Swainson-Woods project uploads 100,000 record!

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:24:42 GMT

The Swainson-Woods project at Puke Ariki has uploaded the 100,000 record to the online database!

Find out more here!

Taranaki Wars book an award winner!

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:20:43 GMT

Contested Ground: Te Whenua I Tohea, the Taranaki Wars 1860-1881, edited by our very own Kelvin Day Manager Heritage Collections, won best book in the higher education category at the Copyright Licensing Ltd Educational Publishing Awards last week.

Check out the full story!

Registration for Summer Reading Programme opens!

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:01:20 GMT

Sign your kids up NOW for the Puke Ariki and Community Libraries Summer Reading Programme.

Registration is open from Sunday 6 November until Sunday 4 December and places are limited. Go to your local library and make sure your children don't miss out on learning more about books, earning cool rewards and practising their reading this summer.

LABOUR DAY

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:39:27 GMT

Puke Ariki and Community Libraries are CLOSED on Labour Day (24 Oct). Puke Ariki Museum will be open 9am to 6pm.

A new computer system is coming to your library!

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:34:46 GMT

We are improving the library services on offer by installing a new computer system.

While the installation is taking place, the library catalogue will be offline on 24, 25 and 26 October. There will be no library services available online at www.pukeariki.com during this time.

You will still be able to borrow and return books – just bring your library card with you when you come to the library.

If you need any assistance finding the books you need, our librarians will be on hand to help.

Children Go Potty at Oakura Library!

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:00:07 GMT

Check out the photos of youngsters at Oakura Library having a great time learning about working with clay on our Facebook page!

The activity was just one of the sessions on offer as part of the School Holiday Programme at Puke Ariki and Community LIbraries.

Change of speaker

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:39:23 GMT

The oil spill off the Tauranga coast has forced penguin expert Pauline Conayne to pass over tonight's public talk on little blues. Bridie White, from the wildlife ward at Massey University, will take her place for the 7pm event at Puke Ariki. Pauline was also to take part in the three-day 60 Springs Penguin Experience II this week, but now Bridie will do the Thursday morning brief with teenagers. Already, the disaster being caused by the Rena, stuck off the Tauranga coast, is taking its toll on wildlife and Pauline has being treating little blue penguins covered in oil.

Best Design Awards

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:08:23 GMT

Congratulations to Inc Creative who collected a bronze at the Best Design awards on Friday. Their award was recognition of the fabulous work they did creating the War of Law interactive for our exhibition Taranaki War 1860-2010.

10 October 2011.

Waka Huia documentary to screen

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:24:40 GMT

Waka Huia have been filming a documentary about Taranaki Maori Rugby over the last few months including the blessing and opening of the exhibition 'It’s Not Just A Game: whanau, whakapapa, whutupaoro' at Puke Ariki. The documentary will be showing on Sunday 16 October at 10:30am on TVOne.

New Ruru scavenger hunt!!

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:46:38 GMT

Check out the news on our new Ruru scavenger hunt!

Embrace spring and try out a daffodil-coloured scavenger hunt today (or tomorrow … or at the weekend)!!!

New Entranceway Blessed

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:21:45 GMT

After four years in the making, Puke Ariki now has a new bronze entranceway.

Designed and made by Taranaki artist Glen Kipa, the waharoa (gateway) was blessed in a dawn ceremony today (Wednesday, 31 August) and given the name Te Rangi Aoao Nunui.

A few hours later the new manager of Puke Ariki, Fiona Emberton, was formally welcomed to New Plymouth’s joint museum, library and visitor information centre and, appropriately, she and partner Ian Spence passed through the ornate gateway. Fi, as she likes to be called, then starts work next Monday (5 September).

The two-part ceremonial doors project began four years ago, when Glen was first commissioned to design both an interior wooden door and exterior entranceway for the north wing of Puke Ariki.

The inside doors, which tell the story of Puke Ariki and paramount chief Te Rangi Apiti Rua, were completed last year. These were blessed on 16 March 2010, ready for the opening of the award-winning exhibition, Te Ahi Kā Roa, Te Ahi Kātoro, Taranaki War 1860-2010: Our Legacy, Our Challenge.

Glen, of Te Ātiawa Nui Tonu descent, says the bronze exterior depicts Mounga Taranaki being captured by the Pouākai Ranges in a matakupenga (big net), in much the same way as in the narrative about Maui capturing the sun.

“The matakupenga is the over-riding feature,” he says. “It runs through the balustrade inside the Puke Ariki foyer and the interior doors as well. The kupenga is a metaphor for knowledge and perseverance.”

It also tells of group cohesiveness. “It took a whole group of people to help Maui capture the sun. He had to bring the people together not only to create the net; he created a very special karakia that gave the net special strength to capture and hold the sun while he negotiated with it.”

The outside story is also about the manuhiri (visitors), who come to Taranaki and also those who have made this place their home. The eight iwi of Taranaki are represented by spirals, which Glen says speak of winds, oceans, feelings, anguish, movement and being dynamic.

Glen did a great deal of research before creating the design. “It took a long time to make sure we had things as right as we could, because bronze lasts for a long time.”

He also faced the challenge of casting the intricate designs and that’s when Cambrian Engineering stepped in. The New Plymouth company provided the free use of its foundry for Glen to do the work.

“This would not have happened without them,” he says.

Staff also provided expert advice on the way and Glen says he learnt a great deal during the process.

From his designs, the artist created elaborate molds and then finally the day came to pour the hot metal at Cambrian. “It was very exciting. We had a little bit of problem with seeping, but it still worked. Literally four years’ work all came down to that half an hour.”

When Glen broke open the moulds, each of the 26 components that make up the 2.3-metre tall bronze entranceway, were intact.

Cambrian Engineering manufacturing manager Robert Short says it is appropriate that such a significant Taranaki artwork be made in Taranaki.

“When Glen contacted us I saw the opportunity to enable him to make the castings that would have otherwise gone out of Taranaki. We thought it was very important to support Glen’s artistic expression,” Robert says.

The two-part project has also been generously supported by Creative New Zealand, AWE and Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation.

Ahititi farmer John Andrews gifted the tōtara for the inner wood carvings and support also came from the Bayly Road Trust, Puke Ariki Land Trust, Ngāti Te Whiti hapū, Ngāti Moeahu hapū and Te Kaumātua Kaunihera o Ngā Whare Taonga o Puke Ariki.

For more information and more high-resolution images, please contact Communications and Marketing Co-ordinator Polly Maybury or Communications and Marketing Manager Hannah Leahy, phone 759 0860.

Image: Artist Glen Kipa stands before the new bronze waharoa at Puke with his wife Marnie Reinfeld and their children, Pare Kai Uru (1), Tiki (4) and Ngāmotu (5).

New Stop for Mobile Library

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:17:46 GMT

The Mobile Library will now be stopping at the Waiwakaiho Valley car park every second Friday during the school term.

Dates and times are:

16 Sept	2pm - 3pm
30 Sept	2pm - 3pm
28 Oct	2pm - 3pm
11 Nov	2pm - 3pm
25 Nov	2pm - 3pm
9 Dec	2pm - 3pm