Auckland Libraries IFLA Short Film: Greenway Segment

 

Auckland Libraries IFLA Short Film: Greenway Segment

 

Auckland Libraries Storytelling Project

The difference Auckland Libraries make to our communities and customers is not always well articulated. For this reason, the storytelling project team are looking to collect and share stories of impact with our communities, decision makers and the wider library world.

As part of the Storytelling Project Auckland Libraries will be entering a documentary in the IFLA Metropolitan Libraries Short Film Award. The 2019 winning entry can be viewed here.

IFLA Project Overview and Objectives

The overarching theme for the 2020 documentary is a focus on Auckland Libraries efforts to further Maori literacy within our communities. The documentary follows Morehu Roberts-Tuahine on the mobile bus as he connects with mana whenua – recently at Hoani Waititi Marae on Waitangi Day.

 In the Te Ara Awataha greenway segment Morehu will be introducing a wider ethnically diverse Auckland community to Maori culture, and Maori knowledge systems that they might not have previously been familiar with. The emphasis here is the role Libraries play as networkers and connectors in our communities, working beyond the confines of our four walls to bring our communities together. This story focus (bringing communities together) also reflects Libraries role not just as a repository of knowledge but also as a forum for cultural exchange.

 The overall focus on Maori literacy offers a unique point of difference that will be appealing to an international audience, and yet remain universally relevant by reflecting the great work Libraries do to embrace multicultural communities.

 Te Ara Awataha Greenway Restoration Segment

Documentary Director Haunui Royal, Principal Curator Māori, is excited about the possibility for shooting at the Te Ara Awataha greenway restoration. This shoot will work in conjunction with a related event held at a local Kaipatiki library about issues of Kaitiakitanga, (guardianship, conservation and heritage from a Maori perspective).

 The Library event will discuss the underlying Maori value systems of kaitiaki (guardianship) and mauri (living life principle) that are intrinsic to the greenway restoration project (fig. 1). There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers. In this way, Auckland Libraries are working alongside local groups and organisation to connect communities through dialogue and cultural exchange.

 

Fig.1 Auckland Council Report 2019, Mauri indicators tool, The Awataha Greenway Project Northcote.

 Lucy Tukua has been mandated by the Greenway Mana Whenua group to speak at the Library in front of camera about the principles of Kaitiaki driving the Te Ara Awataha restoration.

Lucy Tukua Linkedin Profile:

Lucy is a passionate kaitiaki for her Iwi of both WAIKATO: Ngati Tahinga and HAURAKI: Ngāti Paoa and Ngāti Whanaunga.

NativebyNature collaborates closely with Council and wider whānau, Crown, NGOs, CRIs and Private Developers assisting them to navigate the indigeneity of Tāmaki Makaurau, place and people.

With 19 Mana Whenua in Tāmaki it can be a daunting task. She sees her role therefore as a conduit to demistify that culturescape. To bring relevance and resonance in those stories of place (whenua and moana), people and process. To start from a place of respect and regenerative potential through strong values of Pono, Aroha and Tika.

Ethical considerations

Iwi are currently debating the appropriateness for applying the mauri indicator tool to a council restoration project. The storytelling team are mindful that a segment focused on the application of these tools (take mauri, take hono) might create some difficulties for mana whenua who are still negotiating its use within their constituency. These concerns can be allayed by de-emphasising the kaitiakitanga talk which is too broad for the scope of this documentary. Instead, emphasis will be placed on the community connections being made at the greenway visit, and the cultural exchange taking place during the talk.

 Shooting Overview

There are multiple possibilities for how this shoot could unfold:

·       Auckland Libraries could bring the mobile bus to one of the restoration days at Jessie Tonnar Scout Reserve. This would highlight how Libraries are agile, not bound by 4 walls but actively working in our communities to build relationships and bring communities together.

·       A talk about Kaitiakitanga at the restoration day or scheduled at a local Library. This is the literacy component – raising knowledge of Maori value systems and providing a forum for cultural exchange and dialogue.

 Our Promise to Auckland

 The focus for this documentary falls within the scope of Auckland Libraries future directions promise to Auckland.

 

      Taonga tuku iho, Legacy ­‑ We preserve our past, ensure our future.

·       Literacy, We support communities to thrive.

·       Whakatipu I te reo Maori, We grow the Maori language

·       Tatou, Beonging We bring communities together