4 September 2003 Media Statement
Library and information sector gets boost
The Minister Responsible for the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mâtauranga o Aotearoa, Marian Hobbs, today
announced 11 appointments to two new ministerial advisory bodies.
The Library and Information Advisory Commission Ngâ Kaiwhakamârama i ngâ Kohikohinga Kôrero (LIAC) and the Guardians
Kaitiaki Alexander Turnbull Library will have the role of advising the minister on issues related to the role of library
and information services, including mâtauranga Mâori, in the cultural and economic life of New Zealand, and protecting
and developing collections of the Turnbull.
"The appointments to the Library and Information Advisory Commission will ensure the government receives independent
advice on library and information issues, and public access to library and information services, as well as the role of
library and information services in the cultural and economic life of this country," Marian Hobbs said.
The Commissioners are: Ms Ainslie Dewe (Chairperson), Ms Diana Kelly, Mr Karl Du Fresne, Mrs Evelyn Tobin, Mr Chris
Szekely, and Mr Paul Reynolds.
"The Guardians Kaitiaki appointments confirm the government's undertakings to preserve, protect, develop and make
accessible the special collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library in perpetuity, and to maintain the character of the
services that distinguish the Alexander Turnbull Library as a research library," Marian Hobbs said.
The Guardians Kaitiaki are: Dr Lydia Wevers (Chairperson), Dr James Ng, Professor Judith Binney, Ms Theresa Graham, and
Dr Patu Hohepa.
"These two bodies are a boost of expertise and a significant step towards implementing the new National Library of New
Zealand (Te Puna Mâtauranga o Aotearoa) Act passed earlier this year," the Minister said.
"I am delighted with the people who have been appointed to these two new bodies. They'll bring community focus and
direction to decision-making around the government's approach to library and information issues in New Zealand,
including mâtauranga Mâori, and preserving and developing the Turnbull collections."
The call for nominations to the two new bodies was widely advertised in June.
For more information check: http://www.natlib.govt.nz/en/whatsnew/minister_nominations.html
Background attached
Guardians Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library
Background:
The Guardians Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library is a new Ministerial advisory body established under the
National Library of New Zealand (Te Puna Mâtauranga o Aotearoa) Act 2003.
The Guardian’s statutory function is to advise the Minister Responsible for the National Library on key matters
associated with the operation of the Turnbull, including:
- the capacity of the Library to acquire documents to be used for the purposes of research, scholarship, or mâtauranga
Mâori, or by other libraries and the people of New Zealand;
- the provision of services to enable access and research using the collections of the Library;
- a decision made by the Chief Librarian to make documents from the collections of the Library available for public
exhibition; and
- the appropriate and adequate protection of the collections of the Library,
The Guardians will provide assurance to the people of New Zealand on matters relating to the Library and its collections
and services. The Guardians are required to make an annual report to the Minister on their performance, including with
their report the annual reports of the National Librarian and the Chief Librarian of the Turnbull Library. The Guardians
will meet three times each year.
Biographical Details of the Appointees:
The Minister Responsible for the National Library, Marian Hobbs, has appointed five Guardians after consultation with
the Minister of Mâori Affairs, Parekura Horomia. The appointments were notified in the New Zealand Gazette on Thursday 4
September 2003.
The appointees will deliver the appropriate mix of skills and experience sought for the Guardians and bring particular
strengths relating to mâtauranga Mâori, libraries, historical research (including special interest in and knowledge of
the Turnbull), and preservation and access perspectives. They are:
Dr Lydia Wevers
Dr Wevers is a long time researcher who has wide experience of the Turnbull collections and has published extensively
from them. She also has considerable experience of the management structure of the National Library and the Turnbull
through her previous role as Chair of the Trustees of the National Library. In her role as Director of the Stout
Research Centre for New Zealand Studies, Dr Wevers is involved with training emerging researchers in New Zealand studies
and generating and disseminating research, which uses the Turnbull as a primary resource. Dr Wevers is well positioned
through a combination of her personal qualities of leadership, her intellectual interests and achievements, and her
close links with key stakeholder groups to fulfil the role of Guardian. Dr Wevers has been appointed Chairperson of the
Guardians, for a term of two years.
Dr James Ng
Dr Ng is a distinguished medical practitioner who has also made a significant contribution to the community through his
voluntary work in areas as diverse as the arts, trade and child health. He has been the Director of the Board of
Trustees of the Asia 2000 Foundation since 1999. In all these roles he has demonstrated an ability to work
collaboratively with different stakeholder groups. He has worked to foster understanding between the New Zealand and
Chinese communities and has published extensively on the subjects of New Zealand/ Chinese history and Chinese settlement
in New Zealand. He is the author of the 4 Volume Windows On A Chinese Past that drew on extensive research at the
Turnbull, and has contributed to the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. In 1996, he received a CNZM for Services to
Historical Research and the Community. Dr Ng has been appointed for a term of two years.
Professor Judith Binney
Professor Binney is a practising historian, with a long-standing relationship as visiting researcher with the Turnbull.
She has wide experience of research institutions elsewhere, including the British Library and the Mitchell Library in
Sydney that is a comparable institution to the ATL. Professor Binney is a member of the Board of Directors of Te Papa.
Her research and publications are extensively based on a developed awareness of Mâori historical knowledge systems, as
well as on European resources. In 1997, she received a CNZM for Services to Historical Research. Dr Binney has been
appointed for a term of three years.
Ms Theresa Graham
Theresa has had a long career as a manager of, and advocate for, documentary heritage collections. She has shown a
strong personal commitment to preservation issues as well as an ability to work and strategise at a national level. As
manager of Heritage Collections at Auckland City Libraries, she also has experience and understanding of the issues that
affect the Turnbull. She has worked effectively and collaboratively with representatives of the art gallery, museum,
archives, academic and library heritage sectors to further the preservation, management of, and digital access to, New
Zealand’s distributed documentary heritage. She was made a Fellow of Library and Information Association of New Zealand
Aotearoa (LIANZA) in 2002. Ms Graham has been appointed for a term of three years.
Dr Patu Hohepa
Dr Hohepa has for many years worked as an educator, writer, anthropologist and linguistics professional. He has been the
Mâori Language Commissioner since 1999 and is a former professor of Mâori Language at the University of Auckland. He has
conducted research and published widely in the areas of anthropology, linguistics, Mâori studies, politics, and culture
and heritage. He has been associated with the Turnbull for 50 years, as a student, academic, and more recently in his
capacity as the Mâori Language Commissioner. He is a member of Te Waka Toi, the Mâori Arts Board of Creative New
Zealand. Dr Hohepa is affiliated to Ngâ Puhi. He is a spokesperson for Ngâ Puhi and for several Marae, including
Waitangi. Dr Hohepa has been appointed for a term of 3 years.
Library and Information Advisory Commission Ngâ Kaiwhakamârama i ngâ Kohikohinga Kôrero
Background
The Library and Information Advisory Commission (LIAC) is a new Ministerial advisory body established under the National
Library of New Zealand (Te Puna Mâtauranga o Aotearoa) Act 2003.
LIAC’s statutory function is to provide advice to the Minister Responsible for National Library on library and
information issues in New Zealand, including mâtauranga Mâori, and access to library and information services.
In providing its advice, LIAC must have regard to recent and international developments, and the appropriate means for
promoting collaboration among persons and institutions in relation to protecting and promoting access to information,
including documentary heritage and mâtauranga Mâori.
The Commission is required to make an annual report to the Minister on their performance. LIAC are expected to meet up
to three times each year.
Biographical Details of the Appointees:
The Minister Responsible for the National Library, Marian Hobbs, appointed six Commissioners after consultation with the
Minister of Mâori Affairs, Parekura Horomia.
The National Librarian is an ex officio member of the Commission. The appointments were notified in the New Zealand
Gazette on Thursday 4 September 2003.
The appointees will deliver the appropriate mix of skills and experience sought for LIAC and bring particular strengths
relating to Mâori education, libraries, media law, information policy, bicultural perspectives, and information
technology. They are:
Ms Ainslie Dewe
Ainslie is a highly respected strategic thinker in the area of information policy in both New Zealand and Australia. She
has developed expertise in the area of knowledge management and has published widely on the subject of libraries,
knowledge management and related issues. She has a record of collaboration within, and external to, the library and
information profession. She has a sensitivity to bicultural issues and mâtauranga Mâori and is committed to equitable
access to information and knowledge sharing. Ms Dewe has had extensive experience in New Zealand, the UK and Australia
and has demonstrated leadership in the broader information profession. She was President of the Library and Information
Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) from 1994-1995. Ainslie has been appointed as Chairperson of LIAC, for a
term of three years.
Ms Diana Kelly
Diana has had a long career in library and information services and is committed to taking a national view of providing
information to the end user through collaboration with other government organisations. She is committed to capturing and
preserving New Zealand publications as a historical record, to ensuring public access to this material, and to using
technology to provide equality of access to information. She has a strong awareness of the need to ensure the needs of
Mâori are focused on, particularly regarding preservation of, and access to, the information they require. As a
Commissioner, she would assist LIAC to take a leadership role in advising on best practice in the area of library and
information services. Ms Kelly has been appointed for a term of two years.
Mr Karl Du Fresne
Karl is a freelance journalist and editorial consultant. He is a former Editor of the Dominion, and Assistant Editor of
the Evening Post. He has been widely published within New Zealand as a newspaper columnist. He has also acted as a
current affairs commentator for Newstalk ZB and National Radio and written for the Listener and the National Business
Review, among others. His professional interests include media law, freedom of expression, privacy and ethics. He is the
author of Free Press, Free Society (1994) and has contributed to publications on the Official Information and Privacy
Acts. He was awarded the Harry Brittain Commonwealth Press Union Fellowship in 1985. Mr Du Fresne has been appointed for
a term of two years.
Mrs Evelyn Tobin
Evelyn is a specialist in the field of Mâori education She was the principal developer of Tikanga â-iwi national
curriculum, is a past Director of the Education and Training Consultancy ‘Kotare Enterprises’ and is currently the
Principal, Pouako Tumaki, Te Kura Kaupapa Mâori o Taumâere. In addition to her career achievements, she fulfils many
other roles including being a Te Reo Mâori /Te Reo Rangatira expert in respect of NCEA development and being a member of
Kômiti Mâori that provides independent advice to the National Librarian. She is affiliated to Ngâti Manu and Ngâ Puhi
and will bring both Mâori cultural awareness and educational perspectives to her role as a Commissioner. Evelyn has been
appointed for a term of two years.
Mr Chris Szekely
Chris has been actively involved in the library and information sector since 1988. He has worked extensively with
libraries throughout New Zealand, in both the tertiary and public sectors, as well as with key library training
providers, Victoria University, and The Open Polytechnic. He was a founding member of Te Rôpû Whakahau, the Mâori
Library and Information Workers’ Association. In 1999, he received an Associateship from LIANZA in recognition of his
work in the area of bicultural development. Chris has presented in these areas at conferences and seminars, both
nationally and internationally. He has published extensively on the subject of Mâori and libraries in Aotearoa and
related issues. He has been the editor of several works, including Te Hikoi Marama: A Directory of Mâori Information
Resources. Chris is affiliated to Ngâ Puhi and Ngati Ruanui. Chris has been appointed for a term of three years.
Mr Paul Reynolds
Paul is one of the most well known and respected commentators and thinkers on the topics of information access and
technological change in New Zealand today. His work demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the Internet and of the
broader issues in a social, economic, political and technological context. He puts a strong emphasis on community access
and contribution to knowledge. He is forward thinking in his views and will bring a wider information sector perspective
to his role as a Commissioner. He is the co-founder and Joint Managing Director of McGovern and Associates, a
full-service on-line media company who, since 1995 have provided strategy, design and development in the field of new
media and Internet to clients in New Zealand, Fiji and the UK. Paul has been appointed for a term of three years.
ENDS