19 July 2005
Awards in Oral History announced
The panel for this year's Awards in Oral History have selected 17 oral history projects out of over 60 applicants to
receive funding support. Projects span the length and breadth of the country from Lake Omapere in the far north to
Dunedin in the south, and way down south to Antarctica.
The stories to be recorded are equally diverse, including an oral history of small rural Màori community of Te Rawhiti
between the 1920s and 40s, dancing competitions in Dunedin, New Zealand's early role in Antarctica, the Burmese
community in New Zealand and interviews with New Zealand cartoonists.
"We had a substantial increase in the number of applicants for the awards this year, indicating a strong interest in
oral history around the country," said Megan Hutching, Senior Oral Historian with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
"Recording oral history gives us personal stories and experiences in the words of the people who were there, and often
provides insights into the day-to-day lives of people that would not otherwise be known."
The Awards in Oral History are awarded annually to provide financial help for projects using oral resources relating to
the history of New Zealand and New Zealand's close connections with the Pacific. About $75,000 is available for
distribution each year to individuals, groups, communities or institutions for a limited period and can be used to fund
equipment, travel and other costs related to the project.
This year's awards went to
Waipuna o Hokianga from Rawene
$6200
Oral history of Lake Omapere, Tai Tokerau
Cynthia Matthews from Kerikeri
$3000
A place in the sun: 50 years of the arts in Kerikeri
Te Rawhiti oral history group
$4500
I Tupu Ake Au Ki Te Rawhiti - an oral history of Te Rawhiti
Waitakere Library and Information Services
$5000
The Crown Lynn story
Tairua Oral History Group
$4600
Tairua local history project
Thames School of Mines Museum
$3000
Thames School of Mines oral history project
Sally Schoon from Wellington
$4520
Herbert Gardens oral history project
Susan Foster from Wellington
$4900
Interviews with New Zealand cartoonists
Kitty Chang from Lower Hutt
$5000
Oral history of Chinese women in New Zealand
Matthew Leonard from Wellington
$5000
The Burmese community in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Seahorse World Science Heritage and Education Trust from Picton$6000
Oral history of Cook Strait whalers based in Tory Channel
Tasman Bays Heritage Trust Nelson
$5000
Nelson Provincial Museum oral history project
Christine Tuapola from Christchurch
$3520
Alofa Atu I Kalaisetete - Bring on the 60s - Samoan migration
to Christchurch in the 1960s
Fiona Clayton from Christchurch
$6000
Footloose and Fancy Free (people with physical disabilities)
McKenzie Centre Community Trust from Christchurch
$5500
Power and Passion - Waitaki hydro scheme
Lyne Pringle from Wellington
$2000
Dancing competitions in Dunedin
Max Quinn from Dunedin
$5000
An oral/visual history of New Zealand's early role in Antarctica
ENDS