Launch of the National Register of Archives and Manuscripts and Formal Farewell to Dianne Macaskill, Chief Executive Archives NZ

Good evening everyone.  I am delighted to be here to both acknowledge Dianne Macaskill, the Chief Archivist and Chief Executive of Archives New Zealand and to launch the new National Register of Archives and Manuscripts.

This is a most special occasion. We are here to pay tribute to Dianne on the eve of her departure from Archives New Zealand and to see first-hand what the new National Register of Archives and Manuscripts has to offer.

Dianne, you have been at the helm of Archives New Zealand for eight years as the first Chief Executive of this stand alone government department.  During that time you have worked with several ministers.

On behalf of the Government I would like to thank you for your commitment, dedication and capability in leading the department from strength to strength.

Archives New Zealand is in a strong position thanks to your leadership.  This is as a result of the calibre of people you have brought into the organisation or have developed whilst here.  The physical infrastructure is sound; there are no leaky buildings I am pleased to say!

The seriousness with which you have treated your role as guardian of public records and information, protecting it from physical harm and improper access, is laudable.  At the same time you have balanced this duty with making records and information progressively more available.

I am reliably informed that your personable nature and good humour has engendered a family atmosphere at Archives New Zealand. It is timely to acknowledge the many major achievements accomplished during your tenure.

Notably these include the development and implementation of the Public Records Act 2005. The Act sets out a template for government accountability by ensuring relevant records are created and maintained for as long as they are needed.  

This public recordkeeping framework monitored by Archives New Zealand enhances public confidence in the integrity of public records. Your important work is democratic government in action.

As the recordkeeping environment continues to change you have been quick to ensure the organisation remains adaptable and flexible in its approach to these changes.  This has seen a move from a department as custodian of physical documents in large storage facilities, to one having oversight of all aspects of government recordkeeping.

Dianne, there are many highlights of note during the past eight years.  As the first Chief Executive you ensured the systems were put in place so the department could do its job and do it well.

Work on a digitisation strategy and internationally recognised recordkeeping standards was begun early on. Stakeholders have continued to benefit from the recordkeeping advice and guidance developed under the Continuum brand and from the development of Archway - the main online finding aid.

The digitisation of the iconic film This is New Zealand and the collaborative work with the National Library of New Zealand and Te Papa Tongarewa, particularly on the Treaty 2 U project, has significantly raised the profile of Archives New Zealand.

In 2007, 50 years of archive legislation in this country was celebrated. This was a time to recognise the importance and value of public recordkeeping in New Zealand and the achievements since the passing of the Archives Act 1957.  The Act established the National Archive, now Archives New Zealand, and the role of Chief Archivist.

In the same year the new purpose-built repository was opened in Auckland and I am told that staff and users alike are enjoying this environmentally-friendly space.  

The building was the first to sport the department's new branding which reflects what Archives New Zealand is all about in the 21st century.  A hub with momentum, housing a collection of memories and significantly a partnership between Archives New Zealand and the people of Aotearoa - He hononga ki ngā iwi.

Your good working and personal relationships with the many, many individuals and professional bodies, such as the Records Management Association of Australasia, the New Zealand Society of Genealogists and the Archives and Records Association of New Zealand, that make up the archiving and recordkeeping community, is outstanding.

Your work on the international scene is also most creditable. You have been the driving force in connecting Archives New Zealand more effectively with the archiving profession internationally.  

This includes your keen involvement in the International Council on Archives, gaining the respect of your peers which has led to your personal representation on the ICA Audit Commission.

Our Pacific communities respect the leadership, support and advice you have directed through the department's involvement in PARBICA - the ICA's Pacific Regional Branch.

This same dedication is reflected here with your commitment to Māori, iwi and hapū.

Responsiveness to Māori is a driving force in this organisation. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not only housed in this building, but embedded into the culture of Archives New Zealand.  

You established Te Pae Whakawairua to give you advice on tikanga and the Kaihautū position as part of the strategic management team. The community archive programme and their valuable work sits within this group.

Dianne, your departure from Archives New Zealand coincides with the launch of the redeveloped National Register of Archives and Manuscripts. This new and exciting online tool is integral to the work of Archives New Zealand's Community Programme.

Now we have a tool for organisations and individuals to use and to showcase their archival holdings to others via the internet.  

The National Register of Archives and Manuscripts has been around in some form since 1954 - when people, some who are here this evening, recognised the importance of maintaining collections in their own communities for their own and the benefit of others.

Strong commitment and the dedication of volunteers saw the register thrive in these early years. Now there are some 200 individuals and organisations listed.

The contents range from internationally significant material such as aspects of the Len Lye collection held by New Plymouth's Govett Brewster Art Gallery, to

the records of families prominent in every New Zealander's home town or district.

Archives New Zealand took over the register's management in 2004 and in 2007, through the Community Archives Survey, asked people what they wanted from the register.

In true community archive style what we will see demonstrated shortly is the result of this feedback.  The survey highlighted how the system could be improved to better meet the needs of those who use it most.  More recently discussions at conferences and visits to contributors have also been incorporated.

Now users are in charge. They can upload their own information, when they want it and in their own time - previously they needed to ask the department to do it for them.

Internationally accepted descriptive standards are included so collections are easily searched and found.  The quality and completeness of descriptions is improved making access to items easier.

Improved search features also make it easier to use. Google maps, for example, pinpoint the location of contributors and where collections are held.

Researchers can add their own subject tags which in turn can be used by others, thus building up a more detailed picture of what the collections contain.

All these features help make the system more accessible as will the ongoing support from Archives New Zealand.  And I have it on good authority that besides being easy to use it looks great and is free for those who want to be part of this robust online community.   

New Zealanders up and down the country have established community archives both to care for their records and to ensure their long-term access. Now they have a useful tool they can manage in order to keep hold of their history, their local and national treasures.

This new system is an investment in our future; sitting alongside other community initiatives such as Kete, and one which should become a valuable feeder system to Digital New Zealand.

The history, the tāonga, the stories of ordinary and extraordinary people, the places and events that have helped shaped New Zealand are what make this system important to us all.   

I am delighted to relaunch the National Register of Archives and Manuscripts under its new name - The Community Archive. I am sure it will be put to most valuable use.

Congratulations to all those many people involved in its past, its recreation and its new future.  Congratulations especially to you Dianne for making this useful gift to all New Zealanders happen.

Thank you all and well done.