NZ’s first printed book and tāonga calls out to manuhiri

3 July 2015

NZ’s first printed book and tāonga calls out to manuhiri (visitors)

New Zealand’s first printed book, historical letters, maps, diary entries and early land deeds will all form part of the latest exhibition presented by Auckland Libraries’ Sir George Grey Special Collections.

Pūtahitanga: a meeting of two worlds in the North, 1769-1842 focuses on the interaction between Māori and Pākehā during the early contact period in Northland, through to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the establishment of the capital in Auckland in 1840, and the arrival of the first migrant ships in 1842.

Councillor Alf Filipaina, Arts, Culture and Events Committee chair, says that the exhibition offers an opportunity for Aucklanders and all library visitors to see rare treasures from Auckland Council Libraries’ Special Collections.

“The history of Auckland and northern New Zealand really comes alive in this special exhibition. There are letters, maps, journal entries, and other tāonga that form an important part of our bicultural heritage and that tell a unique story about our country’s earliest written history.”

“Not many people realise that that these treasures are available for free to all Aucklanders. Anyone can ask to view the items in special collections when they are not being exhibited. These are valuable resources that have been gifted to the people of Auckland, and I encourage everyone to come along and enjoy them.”

Pūtahitanga: a meeting of two worlds in the North, 1769-1842 opens 3 July – 18 October at Sir George Grey Special Collections on Level 2, Central City Library, Lorne St, Auckland.

ENDS

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