Celebrate Pasifika at Auckland Libraries

14 March 2014

Celebrate Pasifika at Auckland Libraries

Libraries across Auckland are celebrating Pasifika 2014 with a range of free activities, classes and events for the whole family.

Regular programmes like Wriggle & Rhyme and Rhymetime will have a Pacific flavour from 17 – 31 March and Storytime will go bilingual.

Southern local libraries manager Kim Taunga says Pasifika is a time to celebrate Auckland Libraries' Pacific communities, cultures and traditions.

“Whether it's a ukulele class, a bilingual storytime or a Pacific craft demonstration, we encourage you to see what's on and to learn, celebrate and share in community activities,” she says.

The Auckland Libraries collection offers Pacific stories and legends, bilingual books, CDs and DVDS in various Pacific languages, plus language learning tools and travel guides.

“Our website now displays more of its Pacific taonga online, making our collections more accessible to Aucklanders.

“The precious book of tapa cloth specimens collected by Captain Cook in the South Pacific has been digitised and can be viewed as an eBook.

“More online material is being added all the time so everyone can now enjoy our Pacific history,” says Ms Taunga.

Library members can also stream Pacific music free using Music Online, which offers access to over 900,000 tracks, including over 45,000 unique recordings.
Library events include:

Stars of Pasifika Poetry
Central City Library, Whare Wananga, Level 2
Monday 17 March, 6pm
Join us for an unforgettable evening of performances and readings by some of the South Pacific's finest poets.

Pasifika storytime with Vaai
Ranui Library
Tuesday 18 March, 9.30am - 10am
Come along to Pasifika storytime to enjoy stories and songs for everyone. Go in the draw to win a goodies hamper.

Sasa dance session
Glenfield Library
Thursday 20 March, 11am - 12 noon
The Samoan sasa is an expressive dance using hand and body movements to depict activities taken from everyday life, for all ages. The sasa can be performed by both males and females in a seated position or standing.

Cook Island drumming with Te Ira Tapuae
Blockhouse Bay Library
Saturday 22 March, 2pm - 2.45pm
Come and watch Cook Island drumming with. This will be a performance not to be missed and you may even get to try the drums yourself!

Guest speakers share their stories of success
Manurewa Library
Friday 28 March, 11.30am - 12.30pm
Guest speakers of Pacific Island descent will share their stories on their chosen career paths, their struggles, their triumphs and advice.

Pasifika bilingual rhymetime
Northcote Library
Saturday 29 March, 10.30am - 11am
Sing and hula to Pasifika rhymes and songs. Celebrate the beauty of the Pacific language culture.

For more information about Auckland Libraries Pacific collections and Pasifika events in your area go to www.AucklandLibraries.govt.nz.

• View Captain Cook’s tapa cloth collection eBook at http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/virt-exhib/TapaCloth/index.htm
• Go directly to Auckland Libraries Pacific collections page http://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/EN/collections/pacific/Pages/pacific.aspx
• Follow us on Twitter #ALPasifika
• Pacific Island language speakers can be made available for media interviews on request.

ENDS

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