Speech for launch of Archives New Zealand’s Community Archives Publications

E nga iwi, e nga mana, tena koutou.

Good afternoon.  It is a pleasure to be here today to launch Archives New Zealand’s four new publications for community archives.

I’d like to acknowledge: the Chief Archivist Dianne Macaskill, the National Librarian Penny Carnaby, the Chair of the Archives Council Richard Nottage, the President of the Archives and Records Association Joanna Newman, ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to thank the Marist Brothers and Archives New Zealand for hosting this event.  I would also like to thank the members of the Sole Archivists Group for being able to feature the launch of the publications at their meeting today.

These booklets have been produced as a resource for the archival community. It is indeed appropriate that they be officially launched in the presence of this dedicated group of community archivists.

Archives New Zealand works in the community in collaboration with other institutions from the culture and heritage sector, including the National Library of New Zealand and Te Papa Tongarewa. 

These four new publications further complement the resources developed by the National Preservation Office of the National Library and National Services, Te Papa, to support communities to care for their tāonga. 

New Zealanders are passionate about their history and the stories of their forebears. The work that you do as archivists helps safeguard our nation’s stories.

People in many parts of New Zealand have established community archives to care for their historical records and ensure their long-term availability. Other areas are in the process of establishing them. There are also many individuals who are caring for their own family histories. Their work is also very important.

Community archives hold documents of historical significance to the families in their local areas. It is important these holdings are kept in a safe and secure environment and are readily available for our children and grandchildren and the generations that follow.

The four publications we are launching today will benefit everyone involved in the management and care of archives in our communities.

The publications contain a wealth of information and advice for community archivists, whether working for an iwi, or in an archive that is part of a local authority, museum or library; or archiving the history of your whānau or local sports club.

I’d like to congratulate Archives New Zealand’s Community Archives Group for producing these publications.

Since its formation in 2006, the Community Archives Group – led by Archives New Zealand’s Kaihautū and Group Manager Terehia Biddle – has worked with the wider community to gain a greater understanding of how they can help communities manage and care for their archives.

One of the group’s major initiatives was a survey of community archives carried out in 2007.  The findings of this survey resulted in the creation of these resources.

The Community Archives Survey Report provides the key findings of the survey. The report highlights the fact that Archives are well established in New Zealand and that the costs of services are kept to a minimum.

The survey also acknowledges the significant contribution made by volunteers working to care for archives and tāonga in their communities. Many of you are volunteers and I thank you for the time and effort you give to this important work.  I have been involved with volunteer activities for many years and I sincerely appreciate your commitment.

Other significant findings from the survey included the need to improve the National Register of Archives and Manuscripts web-based system which serves communities and Archives by helping them to manage their holdings, provide archival advice and support and share information. I am looking forward to the launch of the redeveloped Register in June this year.  The report also identified an increasing need to offer greater accessibility of local archives through digitisation and to look for creative ways of funding.

Dianne and Terehia will tell you more about the other publications which include an archives toolkit, a funding guide and a directory of archives in New Zealand.

Together, these publications and the new National Register will contribute to the work Archives New Zealand and other institutions are doing to help communities manage and care for their archives and tāonga now and in the future.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the development of these four publications.  I hope that all of you here today will take these booklets back to your communities and share them with others.