Kia ora Ihaia mo to mihi mai kia hau
(Greetings, Ihaia, for the kind words of welcome)
Mai i au kia koutou katoa nga mihi
(From me the minister, greetings to you all)
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.
(Thank you for your welcome)
I am very happy to be here tonight to open this refurbished ground floor area and the new Gateway to Archives New Zealand. This is a proud moment for the Archives community.
- Greg Goulding, Acting Chief Executive Archives New Zealand and Chief Archivist
- Richard Nottage, Chair of the Archives Council
- Joanna Newman, President Archives and Records Association of New Zealand
- Alicia Wright, Group Manager Regional and Access Services, Archives New Zealand
- Ian Rennie, Chief Executive and State Services Commissioner, State Services Commission
- Penny Carnaby, Chief Executive and National Librarian, National Library of New Zealand
- Chris Szekely, Chief Librarian, Alexander Turnbull Library
- Brendan Boyle, DIA
- Beverly Wakem, Chief Ombudsman
- Members of the Archives Council, Te Pae Whakawairua, ARANZ, the RSA, staff and supporters.
Before I tell you about this new development, I thought it would be appropriate to address what is probably on all of your minds.
As I'm sure you're aware, there have been some reviews of the state sector going on. Ministers are still talking through these issues and an announcement will be made soon.
I want to acknowledge and thank the staff at Archives New Zealand and the National Library who have been very professional while this review has progressed.
I want to assure everyone here tonight that the government understands and recognises the importance of national institutions like Archives New Zealand, the National Library and the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Several people have written to me about the role of the Chief Archivist. It's my view - and the government's view - that this is a very important role. This position must have independence and integrity, and be widely respected.
All around the world, government archivists operate independently in a variety of arrangements:
- In Australia the Archive function sits within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio
- In Sweden under the Ministry of Culture
- UK: the Ministry of Justice
- Ireland: Arts, Sport and Tourism
- Canada: sits within the Canadian Heritage portfolio
These positions all have independence and integrity, and are widely respected whatever their arrangements.
Archives New Zealand, the National Library and the Alexander Turnbull collection are very important to New Zealanders. They are guardians of our heritage and history, and it will remain that way for generations to come.
The focus of Archives New Zealand and the National Library into the future is the digital challenge of getting more information available online. The government is going to provide the pipeline, with the rollout of ultrafast broadband across the country.
The challenge now is to make the most of this opportunity and fill those pipes with information into every home and school in New Zealand.
The Department of Internal Affairs is also working strategically on getting digital information flowing to citizens. You will be aware that the Government Technology Service (GTS) recently transferred into the DIA.
There is a real focus for the Government on having more data available and readily accessible to New Zealanders, as efficiently as possible.
Of course, we shouldn't forget the many members of the public who visit institutions such as Archives New Zealand in person. This is still hugely important, and is of course the reason we're here tonight: to celebrate the opening of this wonderful Gateway.
On my first visit, after I was appointed as Minister last year, I came over to meet staff and have a look around for myself. This is when I first heard about the ambitious plans to improve customer service.
I'm aware that during the recent recession, institutions around the world like Archives and libraries experienced big increases in the number of people using their services. Some came looking for work, to research or upskill themselves, or just for the social contact.
Now Archives New Zealand has revamped its ground floor to create a better, more effective service to customers wanting to access the archives we hold as a nation.
The department's extensive government records date back to the 1800s and include our nation's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi. We have thousands of public records, maps, plans, artworks, photographs, film and sound recordings totalling some 93 kilometres all up - from here to my home town in Levin.
This new space has been created with customer input. Readers and stakeholders, many of whom are here tonight, were asked what they wanted and they were listened to.
The Reading Room has a fresh new look and gives readers a more in-depth experience with personal service tailored to meet their needs.
The brand new Gateway helps customers begin the journey into the archive. Here you can find out about your own family and ancestors, how New Zealand was founded as a nation, and how we have grown and matured as a country.
Here people can make their own personal discovery of the nation's tāonga. It's a place to chat and learn more about the archives.
In this space we also have the new audio visual area where people can tune in to stories of the past via the National Film Unit collection.
I'm sure you noticed walking here tonight the prominent new billboards outside. These are another great way of promoting the archives to people who live and work in Thorndon and to Wellington's many visitors.
A new readers' lounge has also been established - this is a place where customers can sit and relax and have bite to eat.
As you can see this whole ground-floor space has been given a spruce-up, it's light and airy and will be a great place for both staff and visitors.
As you know, the public finances are tight, so I'm pleased to hear these changes were done on time and within budget.
All the major work was completed in the space of 3 months and throughout this time the Reading Room remained open. I understand that customers coming here were given earplugs to block out the noise, a great example of customer service.
I want to commend Archives New Zealand for making these changes in a cost-effective manner, including working with New Zealand Post for recycled furniture and using recycled materials wherever possible.
The changes have also helped provide a platform to launch the shared service delivery between Archives New Zealand and the National Library - particularly the Alexander Turnbull Library.
While the National Library building is closed for redevelopment visitors can view some of the key collections here. These include Alexander Turnbull Library manuscripts, rare books, oral histories and photographs, plus the National Library's research collection of pre-1940 children's books.
The National Library and Archives New Zealand have been working on this shared-service approach since late 2008. I'm delighted to hear the joint service to the public went live on February 25 without a hitch.
Even in the short time the department and the library have been sharing services, readers coming to the one location have been able to access documents from both collections.
Congratulations to Archives New Zealand, the National Library and the Alexander Turnbull Library for the work you have all done. Thank you to everyone who has supported this great project.