Forward Thinking Keeps Photographic Treasures Safe

Monday 1 March 2010

Media Release

Forward Thinking Keeps Bay Of Plenty’s Photographic Treasures Safe

Digital photography and paper conservation workshop
Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 March 2010, 9am–5pm, Pāhāōa Marae in Pāhāōa.

Damage to precious photographs from recent wharenui (meeting house) fires around Aotearoa has highlighted the need for techniques in digital records and conservation. The trauma and loss suffered by whānau, especially when there are no copies or records kept of the photographs, is immense. Concerns from iwi about keeping photographic taonga safe from damage led to the development of this two-day workshop. Participants will learn how to copy tupuna and whānau photographs, and how to care for and store paper works and photographs at home, or on marae.

National Services Te Paerangi (NSTP) is running the workshop, in partnership with Te Whānau-ā-Apanui.

Rikirangi Gage, CEO of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, said today ’The knowledge gained from this workshop is very valuable to our communities, so we contacted the research units from various iwi in the eastern Bay of Plenty and have representatives from as far away as Te Runanga o Ngati Awa, Te Whakatohea, Ngai Tai, and a contingent from Te Araroa in Ngati Porou coming to the workshop.’

The workshop focuses on basic theory and techniques behind capturing good quality copies with a digital camera, techniques and methods for the care and storage of paper taonga, and how to make appropriate storage containers. Participants are encouraged to bring a collection of photographs/whakaahua, paper documents (such as whakapapa manuscripts or journals), and their digital camera.

Workshop presenters photographer Michael Hall and conservator Vicki-Anne Heikell (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) have many years experience between them, and are looking forward to sharing their knowledge with the community.

NSTP works in collaboration with local iwi, museums, community, and heritage organisations to provide training opportunities that help with the long-term care and preservation of taonga held in the community. A series of marae-based workshops throughout Aotearoa have been developed by NSTP. Gavin Reedy, Te Papa’s Iwi Development Officer, said today, ‘We understand that iwi and museums in small communities can’t always come to Wellington to participate in our workshops, so we are on the road around Aotearoa bringing the support to them. Our aim is to raise awareness among iwi of the practical ways that NSTP can help them care for their own taonga. We can also let them know of the strategic relationships that we have with other agencies that further enhance and support that mission.’

NSTP works with museums, galleries, iwi (tribes), and related organisations to enhance museum services, and support these to become self-sustaining. Our goal is for museums and iwi to be significantly strengthened by increased participation in our programmes, and by working collaboratively at local and national level.

As well as an Iwi Development Officer, NSTP has a two Museum Development Officers – one for the North Island and another for the South Island. These staff members spend the majority of their days in the field, meeting museum personnel and assisting them, and then returning valuable information to the hub at Te Papa about the needs of the sector.

ENDS

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