Goings On: It's Leap Year Time

It's the weekend.  The last weekend before Leap Day.  So it feels appropriate that we should talk about some of the amazing things you could do this weekend, all in celebration of leap year.

I love hunting around for interesting things and this time I've even managed to come with some that appeal to my weird and quirky side such as the terrifically named play Benedict Cumberbatch Must Die.

I want to go just for the name of the play a lone.

And if you in the mood for something a little bit more Shakespearean then there are several of his plays being performed at the Pop-Up Globe; you can even do a behind the scenes tour.

If you are after something truly interesting and ever-so slightly macabre then you should definitely go to the Open Day at Waikumete Cemetery this Sunday where you can learn how to dig a grave, visit a mausoleum and generally learn a ton of interesting things about death and burial customs.   I'm now wondering if the hosts are going to all dress up as Death because THAT would be awesome.

Talking of death also leads us into questions about life and the universe and the Auckland Stardome has several different shows currently going on such as Dark Universe and the Grand Tour of the Solar System, which sound fascinating and definitely something I would be in to, nerdy SyFyGirl that I am.

Movies and music are another thing that I am in to, so it's kinda handy that there are both Movies in the Park and Music in the Parks so that I can get my fix; even better both events are free.  How cool is that.

And if after all the activity you just want to chill and relax then check out some of the awesome e-magazines, e-books and e-audios that we have got at Auckland Libraries.  With just a couple of clicks you can have some entertainment all for free and to use whenever, wherever you want.  Now that really is awesome.

We're all going to the Zoo tomorrow...

... Zoo tomorrow, Zoo tomorrow.....

Well some of us are anyway. Auckland Libraries and Sport Auckland are taking our award winning Wriggle and Rhyme Library programme to the Auckland Zoo tomorrow as part of their Jungle Gym kids fitness week which runs from today 27th February through to Sunday 4th March.

Wriggle and Rhyme will be happening at the Band Rotunda on Tuesday morning at 10.30am, led by the fantastic Joanie Bartel and assisted by some of the local librarians who run the sessions in the libraries.

For more information, check out the Auckland Zoo website

Exploring the Auckland region

Having recently moved back to Auckland, I'm still getting to grips with how much there is to do across the region.

Exploring the regional parks is high on my to-do list, and trips to Tiritirimatangi and Rangitoto Island have been suggested by several people.

I'm keen to explore the Waitakere Ranges so I've put a hold on Walking the Waitakere Ranges by Alison Dench & Lee-Anne Parore.

I'm also interested in Te Araroa (a walking trail that runs the length of New Zealand), which snakes down the coast from Waiwera via Torbay and Devonport, and then it actually passes right through urban Auckland. I'm sure I'll need the accompanying book to point me in the right direction.

Any secret gems you want to recommend?

Celebrate our past

The Auckland Heritage Festival has begun. This runs for a fortnight, from 17 September to 5 October. Auckland Libraries is celebrating the region's rich and diverse past during Auckland Heritage Festival 2011. Here are just some of an exciting range of events, walks and talks in our libraries.

Auckland Central – includes:
various dates: Symonds Street cemetery talks
various dates: heritage walks through Avondale, Remuera and Auckland's early Chinatown
19 Sep: A hot time in the old town with author and TV host, Lindsey Dawson – make a booking now!
21 Sep: 'How to be a property detective' talk by local historian Lisa Truttman
21 Sep: Afrikaner Progenitors family history talk
23-24 Sep: Karen Kalopulu family history 12-hour lock-in – make a booking now!
Auckland Akarana 'The wonderful isthmus' exhibition – a wealth of visual material within our heritage and photographic collections (until 12 November)

Manukau – Heritage walk through Howick with Alan La Roche

Waitakere – 'Locals at play' heritage rugby photography display (until 31 October)

North Shore – including 'A hot time in the old town' with author and TV host, Lindsey Dawson

Pukekohe – See a 1925 Type 35A Bugatti, owned by Ron Roycroft and famously raced by him through the 1950s with a Jaguar XK 150 engine.

For the full list of events go to the Auckland Heritage Festival page on our Libraries website or go to the Auckland Council events website.

Our History

Searching for inspiration for today's post, I thought back to what I did on Sunday. Which was sit under some trees in the Auckland Domain with a bunch of librarians from around the region (no prizes for the best plural for a group of librarians, but we would be interested in what you came up with). There was good food, good coffee (the beverage of choice for librarians) and good music from the Jazz band warming up in the Band Rotunda (which meant Sean's banjo was unfortunately superfluos to requirements).

This was followed by a visit to the wonderful Auckland War Memorial Museum (which included a special Waitangi Day presentation by the Museum cultural group which had us in awe at their skill and laughing at their antics). It's been more years than I care to think about since I was at the Museum so I was really looking forward to this part of the day. Starting at the top and working down was a bit sobering, as it covers New Zealand (and the world) at war. Looking at our history in terms of warfare, I made the comment to a colleague that it seems we are defined by war. She pointed out that we weren't that different from most other countries in this.

I avoided the Avondale spiders in the Weird and Wonderful exhibit, jumped when the floor did in the Volcano house (even though I knew it was coming) and marvelled at the carving and weaving in the Maori Exhibition Hall. The special exhibition on Rudall Hayward (called the father of New Zealand film) was fascinating with clips from his movies. And I really only got around half the museum at best.

As usual, lots of what I observed will be followed up by some reading in the library over the next few weeks. That's the relationship between all the facilities around Auckland and the libraries. You can always come back to us at your leisure and find out more information. We even have books on the Museum itself. It was a great way to spend a sunny summer afternoon (and not just because the Museum was airconditioned).

And just like the Libraries, for Auckland residents and ratepayers, the Museum is free to visit. So put us both on your To Do list for 2011.

(image from the Auckland Museum website)

Visit Voyager for FREE

The Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum in Auckland is offering free entry for Aucklanders (including Rodney residents) until the end of May.

Voyager CEO Paul Evans says free entry offers form a key part of delivering value back to the ratepayers of the Auckland region. Mr Evans says he hopes that people can take the time to develop an understanding of the huge role the sea has played in the creation of the Auckland region by visiting the Museum.

Provided they come with proof of address (such as a rates or utility bill with the persons name and address), Voyager will waive the galleries admission charge for Auckland region residents until 31 May. Charges still apply for Voyager Live heritage vessel experiences and education and pre-booked groups, and the free admission is not valid in conjunction with any other.

Visit the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum website for more information about the offer and what's on at the Museum.

Auckland Museum FREE

One of my ... goals this year (I don't do resolutions so saying goals makes it sound better to me) is to get more cultured. And top of the list of things I want to do is visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum, something I haven't done since I was a teenager (in other words, almost so long ago I can't remember).




So I must take advantage of the offer of all Rodney residents getting into the Museum free until the end of February. Here's the press release:



For the first time in 10 years, Auckland residents will not need to pay an admission fee when visiting the Auckland Museum this summer.
As part of ongoing 80th birthday celebrations, the Museum is offering Aucklanders the opportunity to come and see the improvements within the Museum and enjoy a range of exciting summer exhibitions and programmes.
Free admission to the Museum will run from December 4 2009 to February 28 2010. Taking advantage of this offer is as simple as bringing along proof of residency (rates bill, utility bill, library card, or mail indicating residential address) plus one form of photo ID (eg Drivers license, passport).
As residents of the Auckland Region, all Rodney residents can take advantage of this offer.
To ensure this initiative has no impact on the rates levy, the Museum will continue to charge entry fees to special exhibitions and will increase the suggested donation to $10.00 for non-Aucklanders.
To find out more about this offer visit the Auckland Museum website.



Might see you there.

Photo from Auckland Museum website.

Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum offers free entry to Auckland Region residents

New Zealand’s national maritime museum has a new name, new brand, and a new approach to telling stories of maritime adventure and discovery. From today, Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum will take on its new identity, complete with a new logo, new signage, and a ‘black out’ of its downtown Auckland waterfront buildings.
To celebrate the occasion, CEO Paul Evans says Voyager will be free of charge to all residents of the Auckland Region from 7-22 November.
“Voyager invites all Auckland Region residents to come along and discover the explorative spirit of New Zealand as a seafaring nation,” says Mr Evans.
Mr Evans says Voyager has been chosen as the new name because so much of our New Zealand’s creation as a nation is founded on pioneering voyages of exploration, discovery, courage and imagination.
While most people will immediately notice the new name and logo, Mr Evans says the changes also signal a new approach for the way in which Voyager presents New Zealand’s maritime heritage.
“We’ll be taking a more engaging and interactive approach to telling stories of driving ambition, daring feats and human achievement. Visitors will hear the roar and feel the salt spray as they experience history through the eyes of great New Zealand voyagers.”
Visitors only need to bring along proof of address to see Voyager’s galleries for free. Additionally, for a small charge visitors can climb aboard one of Voyager’s heritage vessels and explore the sparkling Waitemata Harbour in a fun and interactive sailing experience. The new museum shop will also stock a great new range of modern and stylish merchandise.
Please note: free entry does not include heritage vessel sailings or education groups.

Sonic Museum

Auckland War Memorial Museum has just completed an interesting new project, the results of which are launching in NZ Music Month. They have commissioned some of the biggest names in New Zealand music to work on a ground-breaking project called Sonic Museum. Musicians and sound artists from the dance, rock, ambient, orchestral and jazz scenes have been invited to write and record a track inspired by a gallery of their choice in the museum.

Museum Director Dr Vanda Vitali says “This exciting project highlights the way in which our thoughts, feelings and sensations are constantly reorganised by new experiences. On the one hand the music allows us to consider how others can be inspired by galleries in the Museum. At the same time the tracks develop our own experience of the displays, encouraging a new awareness of the collections, of ourselves, and of the world in which we live.”

Artists and the reinterpreted galleries are:

- Tiki Taane, Maori Court

- Don McGlashan, Origins Gallery

- Nathan Haines, Oceans Gallery

- Phil Dadson, Ancient Worlds
- Chris Adams, World War 1 Sanctuary

- Rachel Shearer, Volcanoes

- Richard Francis, Land Gallery
- Rosy Parlane, World War 2 Hall of Memories

- Tim Coster, Landmarks: International Design and Decorative Arts

Sonic Museum

From Thursday, 7 May at the Auckland War Memorial Museum
Only $10 to hire headphones or to download all tracks from Amplifier NZ Music

Tiritiri Matangi Island

I'm glad I was wrong about the weather on the weekend. After taking my niece to Circus Oz on Saturday night we went over to Tiritiri Matangi Island on Sunday. This was the first time either of us had been over so I booked us in on a guided tour. Our guide, Dee, was excellent. She showed us edible plants, pointed out particular trees and had a good eye for the birdlife. Hearing her talk about how much work had gone into making the island pest free made me realise just how lucky I am to have a bunch of squabbling tui outside my window every morning.
A highlight for me was seeing several saddleback birds as I had never seen them before. My niece particularly liked the stitchbirds. We spent several minutes watching them feeding at the special bird feeders.

The library has some books that describe the story of developing the island from farmland to bush area and then into an open sanctuary. Much of the work was done by volunteers who are now an incorporated society. The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Island have their own website. They work collaboratively with the Department of Conservation to keep the island in tip-top condition.

If you've never been then I encourage you to go over and have a look around. It's quite different from bush walking on the mainland.

Have you been to Tiritiri Matangi Island? What were your highlights?