Auckland Council Libraries' Ka Pānui Tātou i Tāmaki Makaurau / We Read Auckland is an annual festival celebrating the readers and writers of Tāmaki Makaurau held every August. 

Enjoy a selection of interviews with Auckland authors about their bestselling books - all available for loan from Auckland Council Libraries.

Visit aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/WeReadAKL for more details.

We Read Auckland

Listen to learn about Mary Wollstonecraft’s groundbreaking book of feminist philosophy, her brave and unconventional lifestyle, her political writing on the French Revolution, and her imaginatively written travel book. 

After Wollstonecraft's death, her grief-stricken widower, William Godwin, published Memoirs of Her Life, a revolutionary biography, which inadvertently destroyed her reputation for almost a century. 

Learn more about these rare books:
https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/meet-a-rare-book-ep7-wollstonecraft.aspx

Enjoy other Meet a Rare Book episodes from the series playlist:
www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/meet…-book.aspx

Sound Archive: Originally recorded on 11 February 2021 for the Meet a Rare Book Collection SA_0078_22

Image: Mary Wollstonecraft. A vindication of the rights of woman, 1792.
b1973396_02

Music: Afternoon Tea by Mona Wonderlick - https://soundcloud.com/search?q=Mona%20Wonderlick
AShamaluevMusic - https://soundcloud.com/search?q=AShamaluevMusic

Production Credits:
Edited and presented for podcast by Mark Gosper, 2021.
Staff talks presented by Georgia Prince recorded by Sue Berman [2019-2021].

Executive producer - Sue Berman
Research and copywriting - Renée Orr, Zoë Colling, Georgia Prince and Jane Wild.

Thanks to the Digital Assets, Web Design and Content and Development Teams.

Supported by Auckland Council Libraries.

Meet a Rare Book - Mary Wollstonecraft

Episode 6:

Join librarians Ella and John as they talk about the adventures of Mr Toad. He is a scene stealing amphibian and he knows it! Despite his mischievous ways he has a good heart and good friends in Ratty, Mole and Badger. In this episode Toad sings his own praises and Toad Hall becomes the scene of an epic battle. 

If you enjoyed these chapters, ask one of our friendly librarians to help you find the Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame in your local Auckland Library. https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/search/card?id=5d2693aa-afa1-582c-8dd1-269b1221acf9&entityType=FormatGroup

Wind in the Willows

Look a Book: Wind in the Willows: John and Ella

Dr. Sophie Tomlinson, Senior lecturer in English and Drama at the University of Auckland offers her insights into the decades of Summer Shakespeare productions, the performers and the performances.

Recorded live on World First Folio Day, 23 April 2023.

You can view a digital copy of the Auckland Libraries' First Folio here:
https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/rarebooks/id/12779/rec/1
or check digital comparisons: www.firstfolios.com

Find out more about Folio 400 here: https://folio400.com/celebration-2023/

Read more here: http://heritageetal.blogspot.com/2023/05/readers-and-readings-traces-of-use-in.html
"At the start of Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories & tragedies, otherwise known as the ‘First Folio’, there’s a note from Shakespeare’s former colleagues to the book’s potential consumers. “To the great Variety of Readers”, it begins, before outlining the reasons people might want to buy – and read – this unprecedented collection of plays".

Image: Sophie Tomlinson presents at World First Folio Day, April 2023. Photograph by Jane Wild.

Music Credit: Seringapatam composed by Bruce Paine played by Chris Everest at Auckland Libraries Heritage Concert 2023

Sophie Tomlinson On Summer Shakespeare

In Auckland, Michael Hurst from the Auckland Theatre Company, is strongly identified with Shakespeare. In this track Michael discusses performing Shakespeare. 

This session was recorded live on First Folio Day, April 2023.

You can view a digital copy of the Auckland Libraries' First Folio here:
https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/rarebooks/id/12779/rec/1
or check digital comparisons: www.firstfolios.com

Find out more about Folio 400 here: https://folio400.com/celebration-2023/

Check out King Lear coming to stage: https://www.atc.co.nz/auckland-theatre-company/2023/king-lear/

Read more here: http://heritageetal.blogspot.com/2023/05/readers-and-readings-traces-of-use-in.html
"At the start of Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories & tragedies, otherwise known as the ‘First Folio’, there’s a note from Shakespeare’s former colleagues to the book’s potential consumers. “To the great Variety of Readers”, it begins, before outlining the reasons people might want to buy – and read – this unprecedented collection of plays".

Image: Michael Hurst presents at World First Folio Day, April 2023. Photograph by Jane Wild.

Music Credit: Seringapatam composed by Bruce Paine played by Chris Everest at Auckland Libraries Heritage Concert 2023

Michael Hurst on Performing Shakespeare

For nearly 100 years, playing music in a public bar was illegal.  Gareth Shute explored how this, and other laws affected the music scene in an article for the music history website www.audioculture.co.nz. 

In this talk, Gareth expands on his findings, illustrating how booze often slipped into music venues even when it was still illegal. Learn why so many venues in the ‘70s were in hotels and how there came to be alcohol-themed bands like Beam and Distillery. 

About the speaker
Gareth Shute is a music historian who has authored five books, including NZ Rock and National book award winner Hip Hop Music in Aotearoa. He’s also a musician - currently with party band The Golden Geese, though he’s previously toured internationally with The Brunettes and the Ruby Suns.

This talk was presented at the Central City Library on 3 May 2023.

Image:  John's Place, Rialto Arcade, Newmarket, 1971, Rykenberg Photography.
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1269-19710522-05

Music: Surf Experiment performed by Gareth Shute . Used courtesy of the artist.

Audioculture Presents: Gareth Shute – Music and New Zealand drinking laws

Nau mai haere mai - Welcome to a session from the Reading Room of Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, Central City Library, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

In this podcast, we are delighted to share the recording of Greg Doran’s visit to the Auckland First Folio in June 2023.  

Greg Doran, artistic director emeritus of the Royal Shakespeare Company is on a tour of surviving first folios sponsored by the British Council.  https://www.britishcouncil.org.nz

He comes to us after visiting First Folios in Japan and most recently Sydney, at the State Library of New South Wales. Next stop Cape Town. Our First Folio has travelled the furthest from the Print House in London, some 11,386 miles in fact. 

The Folio has had an active life, most recently getting some attention from David Ashman, our Preservation Manager. The Folio can be handled more easily post-treatment. The tangible evidence of the preservation treatment (including leather shavings and “gutter sweeping”) is now stored in a bespoke archival box with the Folio itself.

In this recording, Greg meets our unique annotated Folio and talks with an interested party – including retired rare books librarian Georgia Prince who curated the exhibition Shakespeare in his time which featured 17th century rare books from the Heritage Collections.

 We also had a moment with the Shakespeare bronze, affectionately referred to as the ‘Beadle bust’ – named for the sculptor Paul Beadle. The bust entered stage left during our discussion – returning to its plinth after a stint on the Ground Floor of our busy public library.

Let’s give Greg the floor to share his close reading!

Listen to David Ashman’s preservation treatment: https://soundcloud.com/auckland-libraries/sets/celebrating-shakespeare

Shakespeare in his time – 2016 curator talks: https://heritageetal.blogspot.com/2016/06/shakespeare-in-his-time-curator-talks.html

The Beadle bust: https://heritageetal.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-shakespeare-beadle-bust-origin-and.html

Gregory Doran on Auckland Libraries' First Folio

In this track we talk with Poukōkiri Whakaaturanga Taonga Kahurangi Goulton about the exhibition of ngā mōteatea in the Kura Tūturu | Real Gold exhibition case for Hōngongoi and Matariki.

Kahurangi explains how te reo Māori was originally only transmitted orally and as such Māori crafted and perfected the art of mōteatea.  Mōteatea refer to all forms of traditional waiata or songs. These waiata were composed to transmit, retain and celebrate the life, customs and history of Māori. 

In the case we have the hand written manuscript of a waiata composed by Hinewairoro and collected by Riwai Te Ahu from Ngāti Hinerangi and Ngāti Awa. We can assume this waiata dates back to an earlier time. This waiata has been identified as, A song to incite remembrance in people’s hearts.  

On view for July 2023 in the Reading Room Level 2 Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero | Central City Library or by request at any time.

Image: Karakia, Waiata. Riwai Te Ahu. Pre-1854. GNZMMS 097_07

Kura search results: Riwai Te Ahu https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/search/searchterm/Riwai%20Te%20Ahu

Further Reading:
Nga Moteatea: he maramara rere no nga waka maha, he mea kohikohi. Part 1. 1928. Ngata, Apirana Turupa 
https://tinyurl.com/sskxzmzt

Ngā Mōteatea with Kahurangi Goulton

Alison is joined in the studio by author Josie Shapiro discussing her debut novel Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts. This beautiful coming of age story of young runner Mickey Bloom and her determination to achieve her dreams is also a love letter to Auckland.

This interview was recorded for Auckland Council Libraries' We Read Auckland festival of Auckland's readers and writers, celebrated 1 - 31 August 2023. Visit aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/WeReadAKL for more details.

'Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts' can be borrowed from Bestie collection displays in all Auckland Council libraries or requested from the Auckland Libraries catalogue. Available in multiple formats: https://bit.ly/3YfvsNj

We Read Auckland 2023: Josie Shapiro - Everything Is Beautiful and Everything Hurts

I o Tatau Hapori : The Voice and the People of Our Neighbourhood

This playlist supports an exhibition on display for August 2023 at the Franklin Hub.

Oral histories often include great family history content and interesting social history. In these clips we hear some examples of different types of memories and recording. 

0”45 – 2”05
The first recording was made in 1961 and is read as part of her family story by Elizabeth Duncan.

2”05 – 6”15
Susan Carpenter sat down recently with her elderly mother to record some family stories and her mother’s experience of growing up in Pukekohe. In this clip we hear a lovely recollection of time spent with Nana in town and going to the Milk Bar in Newmarket in the late 1940s.

6”15 – 8:34
When asked to discuss her free time as a child, Mere Thompson recalls the games she and her sisters played including hopscotch, skipping and playing shops.

Image: 	
'Four generations', Drury, 1994. "Tui Hall celebrating her 90th birthday with her granddaughter Angela Deane (right), her great-grand-daughter Lisa Deane and her great-great-grandson Dylan Deane". Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 03422

Family Recollections

In this session we get up close with the 15th Century French manuscript the Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, followed by a discussion of some fragments of very early medieval manuscripts found as part of the binding of a bible printed in 1480.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa  - welcome to this podcast celebrating our Auckland Libraries Rare Books and Manuscripts collection. 

This track was recorded in 2019 as part of a series of talks delivered by Rare Book specialist Georgia Prince. 

Ref to content:	
Le livre de Boèce de consolacion
https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/manuscripts/id/17669/rec/1

Image: Detail from Epistola beati. Latin, Basel, 1480. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, 1480 BIBL

Don’t miss your opportunity to visit our Heritage Collections exhibition Miraculous: medieval manuscripts on display in the Level 2 Gallery of Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero – The Central City Library – from 16 August to 11 November 2023. 

We invite you to explore digitised versions of our Rare Book and Manuscript Collections on Kura Heritage Collections Online, or make an appointment to view in person in our Special Collections Reading Room – Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero – The Central City Library.

Boethius and Fragments

Alison is joined over Zoom by author Dr. Ineke Meredith, to discuss her extraordinary memoir, On Call: Stories from my life as a surgeon, a daughter and a mother, published by Harper Collins New Zealand. 
The world of surgery is strange, messy, intense and lonely. Life, death, chaos and limited family life: is life in scrubs worth the sacrifice?
On Call can be borrowed from Bestie collection displays in all Auckland Council libraries or requested from the Auckland Libraries catalogue. Available in multiple formats: https://bit.ly/46pPqcn
This interview was recorded for Auckland Council Libraries' We Read Auckland festival of Auckland's readers and writers, celebrated 1 - 31 August 2024. Visit aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/WeReadAKL for more details.
Author photo credit: Rachel Calvo Photos

We Read Auckland 2024: Dr Ineke Meredith - On call

Alison is joined over Zoom by author Freddie Gillies, to discuss his novel Because all fades, published by Bateman Books. The novel is about four young Kiwis on their OE, having the time of their lives - until a serious incident changes everything. Freddie is an exciting new voice in New Zealand fiction. Because all fades can be borrowed from Bestie collection displays in all Auckland Council libraries or requested from the Auckland Libraries catalogue. Available in multiple formats: https://bit.ly/3WnDt2a

This interview was recorded for Auckland Council Libraries' We Read Auckland festival of Auckland's readers and writers, celebrated 1 - 31 August 2024. Visit aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/WeReadAKL for more details.

Author photo credit Sean Wakely.

We Read Auckland 2024: Freddie Gillies - Because all fades

A Tribute to Octavia E. Butler

Alison is joined in the studio by author Diana Wichtel, to discuss her memoir Unreel: A life in review, published by Penguin. Diana is an award-winning reviewer and bestselling author of Driving to Treblinka. Unreel is a brilliantly funny, achingly nostalgic memoir of a life spent watching and writing. Unreel can be borrowed from Bestie collection displays in all Auckland Council libraries or requested from the Auckland Libraries catalogue https://bit.ly/4m4TsOg

This interview was recorded for Auckland Council Libraries' We Read Auckland festival of Auckland's readers and writers, celebrated 1 - 31 August 2025. Visit aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/WeReadAKL for more details. 

We Read Auckland 2025: Diana Wichtel: Unreel

Alison is joined in the studio by author Michael Bennett, to discuss his novel Carved in Blood, the third instalment in the gripping Hana Westerman series. Carved in Blood is published by Simon & Schuster and can be borrowed from Bestie collection displays in all Auckland Council libraries or requested from the Auckland Libraries catalogue https://bit.ly/3H48jtm

This interview was recorded for Auckland Council Libraries' We Read Auckland festival of Auckland's readers and writers, celebrated 1 - 31 August 2025. Visit aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/WeReadAKL for more details.

We Read Auckland 2025: Michael Bennett - Carved in Blood

Welcome to Ngā Pātaka Kōrero Auckland Libraries podcast page! Catch up on author talks, events and concerts, and hear more in-depth commentary from the curatorial team behind our taonga treasured collections and exhibitions.

We Read Auckland 2025: Michael Bennett - Carved in Blood

Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries

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