Minister Of Broadcasting Opens TV Archive Building

Minister Of Broadcasting Opens New Zealand Television Archive Building

The new New Zealand Television Archive building was opened today by the Minister of Broadcasting, the Hon. Marian Hobbs.

The purpose built $7 million facility is New Zealand's largest audio-visual production library and is fully funded by Television New Zealand. The collection within the Television Archive comprises New Zealand made films, news, programmes, stills and commercials, made from 1938 to yesterday.

The Archive's 20 kilometers of specialist shelving can hold over a million films and tapes - more than twice the total amount of television produced in New Zealand to date.

"The Television Archive is an irreplaceable treasure trove of the influences and images that contribute to who we are as a nation," the Minister commented.

Alan Ferris, General Manager of the New Zealand Television Archive, said the new building makes the Archive's facilities more accessible to the public while increasing the level of protection for the material stored within it.

"The New Zealand Television Archive also houses all of the National Film Unit's material. It brings together a commercial production library and heritage collection under one roof and provides the best storage facilities available in New Zealand to help preserve our culture and history.

"The building is also a significant advance in terms of fire, flood and earthquake protection. Strict climate controls are in place within the Archive's three vaults to ensure the longevity of the material stored. In one of the vaults, it is expected that the film and tapes will be preserved for more than 500 years," said Mr Ferris.

Ends

© Scoop Media