Author: Kirstie Baxter
Turnbull Library Record: Call for Papers 2025
We are now inviting contributions for the 2025 issue of the Turnbull Library Record. The Turnbull Library Record is a journal in the humanities, published yearly by the Alexander Turnbull Library in association with the Friends of the Turnbull Library.
Articles or pictorial essays should be between 2,000–6,000 words in length. Contributions that have not been previously published are welcome and, before acceptance, will be independently refereed. Articles should have a scholarly underpinning and be written in a lively and accessible manner for an informed but not specialist readership.
The Editorial Board reserves the right to decline to publish an article, whether solicited or unsolicited.
The deadline for submitting articles is Monday 2 December 2024. Publication is scheduled for August-September 2025.
For more information, to propose an idea or submit an article, please contact the Managing Editor, Michael Keith (mickeith@shearwater.kiwi).
Research Grant Applications for 2025
Norman Meehan: Jenny McLeod, Tracing Threads – Speech Notes
For those who missed the MAY Speaker Event – Norman Meehan: Jenny McLeod, Tracing Threads – the Speech Notes are now available (including links): Jenny McLeod – Tracing Threads [Turnbull Library]
2024 FOTL Founder Lecture: Dame Claudia Orange on The Treaty of Waitangi
THURSDAY 27 JUNE 2024, 6PM
We announce with great pleasure that the noted historian Dame Claudia Orange DNZM OBE CRSNZ has agreed to give this year’s Founder Lecture. Encouraging discussion on the Treaty of Waitangi is a vital part of continuing efforts to fulfil the promise of the 1840 agreement. Dame Claudia argues that a broad public understanding of the changes that have occurred in the Māori-Crown relationship is essential in order for those relationships to grow. She says that an understanding of history is vital, and informed vigilance is necessary.
Dame Claudia completed her PhD in 1984 at the University of Auckland, and her doctoral thesis, The Treaty of Waitangi: a study of its making, interpretation and role in New Zealand history, was published in 1987, becoming both a popular success and definitive reference book for interpreting the relevance of Te Tiriti.
After several years as General Editor of the Dictionary of NZ Biography and Acting Chief Historian of the Historical Branch, Dept of Internal Affairs, Dame Claudia became Director of History and Pacific Cultures at Te Papa Tongarewa in 2003 and then, in 2009-2016, Head of Research. She is now an Honorary Research Fellow of Te Papa.
Put Thursday 27 June, at 6.00 pm, in your diary now!
Farewell to the Chief Librarian
Chris Szekely, who has been Chief Librarian at the Alexander Turnbull Library since 2007, will be leaving his job at the start of March, after almost 17 years. Tributes from the Friends acknowledge that his long tenure has included some very difficult times and will be remembered for many innovations and achievements. Chris is only the seventh chief librarian, and his two predecessors (Jim Traue and Margaret Calder) also each served for 17 years.
His plan is to “settle in the Far North closer to family, smell some home-tended roses, grow bumper potatoes and catch a fish every Friday”. It is expected that the position will be advertised early in the new year.
Turnbull Library Record 2024: Call for Papers
We are now inviting contributions for the 2024 issue of the Turnbull Library Record.
The Turnbull Library Record is a journal in the humanities, published yearly by the Alexander Turnbull Library in association with the Friends of the Turnbull Library. It is the longest-running humanities journal in New Zealand. It publishes information relating to the activities of the library, as well as articles covering a wide range of research, with special emphasis on the societies and cultures of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Its purpose is to increase knowledge of the library’s collections by showing their scope and richness, and the ways researchers are using them.
Articles or pictorial essays should be between 2,000–6,000 words in length. Contributions that have not been previously published are welcome and, before acceptance, will be independently refereed. Articles should have a scholarly underpinning and be written in a lively and accessible manner for an informed but not specialist readership.
The Editorial Board reserves the right to decline to publish an article, whether solicited or unsolicited.
The deadline for submitting articles is Monday 11 December 2023. Publication is scheduled for August 2024.
For more information, to propose an idea or submit an article, please contact the Managing Editor, Michael Keith (mickeith@shearwater.kiwi).
Treasures of Turnbull Library inspire two writers
Two well-known writers are co-recipients of 2019 Friends of Turnbull Library Research Grants.
Wellington writer and broadcaster Nick Bollinger receives a research grant to assist his latest project, eventually to be published as an illustrated book chronicling the development of the counterculture in New Zealand during the years 1960-1975. Bollinger will be drawing on the rich and diverse collections of the Turnbull Library to trace the roots of countercultural ideas, how they evolved and how they affected New Zealand society.
Bollinger is presenter and producer of The Sampler for RNZ, and is the author of the acclaimed Goneville: a memoir, published by Awa Press in 2016. He says the term “counterculture” originated in the 1960s and became widely used to identify a range of groups and individuals broadly sharing a belief in an alternative society. “From Baxter’s poetry to the music of Blerta, from Roger Donaldson to Tim Shadbolt, the counterculture has had a profound and lasting impact on New Zealand culture.”
Wellington historian Dr Vincent O’Malley – whose fine book The Great War for New Zealand: Waikato 1800-2000, was published by Bridget Williams Books in 2016 – receives a research grant to assist him to continue work on a book on the New Zealand Wars aimed at secondary school students as well as a general market.
Dr O’Malley says that his project “takes us to the heart of the series of conflicts that profoundly shaped the course and direction of our nation’s history.” His new book will focus on a number of quite lengthy first-hand accounts (manuscripts held in the Alexander Turnbull Library) from Māori and Pākehā who either fought in or witnessed the wars that ravaged New Zealand between 1845 and 1872. From Heni Te Kiri Karamu’s narrative of her remarkable exploits as a wahine toa, through to Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky’s colourful account of his time in the Forest Rangers and beyond, these stories will resonate with New Zealanders who are now acknowledging the need to remember, embrace and own our past.
Winners of Smart Alex Competition announced
We are delighted to announce all the award-winning entries in this year’s Smart Alex creative writing competition.
In the Yr 11-13 category, the winner is: CHARLOTTE BOYLE of Cashmere High School, Christchurch (“Crotchety crochet”); and runner-up is: LIA HORSLEY OF Hastings Girls High School (“Bȃc sī”).
In the Yr 9-10 category, the winner is: KRISTEN ROXBURGH of Selwyn College, Auckland (“Right side up”); and runner-up is: EARINA SAVINELLI of Whakatane High School, Whakatane (“The Haircut”)
Our thanks to all those who entered this year’s inaugural SMART ALEX Competition.
Years 9-10 Smart Alex winners Yr 9-10
Years 11-13 Smart Alex winners Yr 11-13
Congratulations to all these wonderful achievers, and remember to look out for next year’s competition in 2019.
Call for papers: TURNBULL LIBRARY RECORD
Contributions are now invited for the 2019 issue of the Turnbull Library Record.
The Turnbull Library Record is a journal in the humanities, published yearly by the Alexander Turnbull Library in association with the Friends of the Turnbull Library. It is the longest-running humanities journal in New Zealand. It publishes information relating to the activities of the Library, as well as articles covering a wide range of research, with special emphasis on the societies and cultures of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Its purpose is to increase knowledge of the Library’s collections by showing their scope and richness, and the ways researchers are using them.
Articles or pictorial essays should be between 2,000–5,000 words in length. Contributions that have not been previously published are welcome and, before acceptance, will be independently refereed. Articles should have a scholarly underpinning and be written in a lively and accessible manner for an informed but not specialist readership.
The Editorial Board reserves the right to decline to publish an article, whether solicited or unsolicited.
The deadline for submitting articles is Friday 2 November 2018. Publication is scheduled for August 2019.
For more information, to propose an idea or to submit an article, please contact the Managing Editor, Fiona Oliver (fiona.oliver@dia.govt.nz).
Information about past issues of the Turnbull Library Record can be found at: www.turnbullfriends.org.nz/about-us/publications