Awards in Oral History announced

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

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