Changes to Audio Visual Archiving
Radio New Zealand has welcomed today’s announcement of a significant increase in funding for sound archiving in New
Zealand.
Radio New Zealand has agreed to transfer the day-to-day management of its sound archiving operations, Sound Archives/Ngā
Taonga Kōrero, to the New Zealand Film Archive effective from 1 October of this year.
In a joint statement, Radio New Zealand Chairman, Richard Griffin, and New Zealand Film Archive Chair, Jane Kominik,
paid tribute to the staff of Sound Archives for their dedication to the task of preserving sound archival material and
emphasised the value of a cooperative future that will enhance public access to the archive.
“ We regard this merger as a positive step in a process that will give substance to the Government’s intention to set up
a national archives incorporating a diverse range of material that reflects our country’s history. “
The sound archives operation will continue to be based in Christchurch and all current Sound Archives staff have been
offered employment with the Film Archive.
As part of the transfer agreement, baseline funding for sound archiving will increase and $1 million will be provided
for a special digitisation project to help improve public accessibility to the Sound Archives collection.
Radio New Zealand Chief Executive, Peter Cavanagh, also paid tribute to the dedication and commitment of Sound Archives
staff, some of whom had been working with Radio New Zealand for many years.
In particular he praised the outstanding work done by the small band of staff in securing and protecting the sound
archives since the major Canterbury earthquakes.
“The Sound Archive is one of this country’s most precious taonga, providing an invaluable record of the social history
of New Zealand over the past 80 years.
“We look forward to working closely with the Film Archive to ensure that the collection continues to be nurtured and
protected for the benefit of current and future generations for many years to come.”