Ngā Pātaka Kōrero - Auckland Libraries

Akinki Manukau describes why growing food is her passion. She talks about alternative moon calendar, organic growing, how she wants to grow food that will nurture people. Akink also highlights the indigenous communal aspect of growing your own food. OH_1104_018_4_018_03 Akinki Manukau, oral history, 2013

Jarcinda Stowers-Ama talks about how difficult was to find traditional Cook Islands food in New Zealand, like specific types of taro. She recalls traditional Christmas Cook Islands’ recipes and Asian markets as a source for her ingredients. OH-1185-001-01 Jarcinda Stowers-Ama, oral history, 2014

Sue Gee remembers how enthusiastic her dad was when he had a new cooking inspiration. Explains cooking processes like soaking octopus two days in advance. She recalls having mostly Chinese cooking when her granddad was around. SA_0187_002 Sue Gee, oral history, 2020

Teri Taukoriri recollects mealtimes as a family in Kiribas and describes the different dishes he ate. He also describes his father’s fishing expeditions. OH_1297_001 Teri Taukoriri, oral history, 2019

Mukesh Bhana talks about his father’s takeaway restaurants, mostly Indian, Chinese and Fijian food. He explains what Fiji-Chinese cuisine is. Mukesh also talks about his first cooking experiences. OH_1095_006 Mukesh Bhana, oral history, 2013

Leva Hoeft talks about the market in Otara. She talks about cooking fish, potatoes and bananas. OH_1355_011_02 Leva Hoeft, oral history, 1990.

Emora Magatogia describes learning how to cook, the dishes her family would have for breakfast and dinner. She also comments on food prices and her husband being a good cook. OH_1467_006_02 Emora Magatogia, oral history, 2022 .

Allan Jaffe talks about his early childhood days. He remembers his grandmother preparing for Shabbas on Wednesdays. Allan recalls getting billies to collect milk so his grandmother could make cottage cheese. He also comments about the tradition of eating associate with traditional festivals. OH_1434_035_02 Alan Jaffe, oral history, 2011

Suzanne Chan On talks about her father cooking skills and his advice on the importance to preserve family secrets. OH_1133_003_03 Suzanne Chan On, oral history, 2014

Join us at our Heritage Feast, where every dish tells a story and every flavour offers a glimpse into the rich cultural mosaic of our communities.

Mahad describes challenges refugee youth face, including feeling misunderstood and navigating dual cultural identities. Shares his own experience running youth programmes. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH-1543-002. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Mahad Yusuf, 2025. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1966-028.

Chile Recalls the African community and his networks in 1989. Not many black people in Auckland. He talks about Phil Amos playing a pivotal role in connecting Chile to a network that later supported the integration of African refugees in the 1990s. Chile explains how the 1994 arrival of Somali and Ethiopian refugees marked a shift and how they provided cultural support. Auckland Libraries Heritage...

Chile talks about starting the Africa Focus magazine in 2000. Explains the purpose of the magazine and its key focuses. And he summarises the significance of the African Association of Auckland and its participation in the consultation in the resettlement strategy, the ethnic soccer strategy, and forming the Office of Ethnic Affairs. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH_1543_001. Photograph...

Mahad explains that it can be difficult to balance aspects of Somali refugee identity, New Zealand culture and Islamic faith. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH-1543-002. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Mahad Yusuf, 2025. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1966-027.

Tina discusses connecting to ancestry as a Ghanaian, Cook Islander, and being raised in Aotearoa. Talks about Ghanaian food. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH_1543_003. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Tina Bonsu, 2025. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1966-035.

Lema describes the differences between life in a refugee camp and life in Auckland for her and her children, highlighting the importance of education, community, and new opportunities. She mentions the differences between community life in Ranui and Congo. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH_1543_005. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Lema Shamamba, 2025. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection...

Lema recalls her memories growing up in Congo. She also talks about becoming a refugee and understanding more about Congo political context when in NZ. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH_1543_005. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Lema Shamamba, 2025. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1966-013.

African Voices Intro by Auckland Libraries

African Voices Outro by Auckland Libraries

Tina talks about Miss and Mr Africa, her involvement, and what it means to the participants. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH_1543_003. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Tina Bonsu, 2025. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1966-030.

Boubacar talks about how the African Film Festival came about as a way to share culture. References the change of ACARI to ACOFI. He also discusses the Kaupapa of the African Film Festival and the importance of Africa through the lens of Africans. References the 10th Anniversary, challenges faced, partnership with Pan-African Film festival in Burkina Faso. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections O...

Boubacar Coulibaly discusses how the African community has changed since he has been in New Zealand. References growth, creating an ethnic soccer tournament in the 90’s, Somalia and Rwanda war and Zimbabwe bringing increasing immigration leading to African soccer competition. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH_1543_004. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Boubocar Coulibaly, 2025. Auckland Libr...

Talitali fiefia! From royal ceremonies to community and village life, the story of 20th century Tonga is vividly documented through the lens of photographer August Hettig. In this episode we explore the story of the August Hettig Collection held in Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections in conversation with Pacifica Curator Pamata Toleafoa, Photographs Curator Keith Giles, and Photograph Conserva...

Alison is joined in the studio by the author Laura Vincent to discuss her critically acclaimed novel Hoods Landing. This book can be borrowed from the Bestie collection displays or requested from the Auckland Libraries catalogue. https://bit.ly/3TjUSv3 Other books mentioned during the interview are The heart is a lonely hunter by Carson McCullers Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly The silent sprin...

In this episode we talk with Andrew Henry from the Heritage Collections curatorial team, about a recent acquisition of New Zealand children’s books. Totaling more than 500 items, the books have been donated to the library by passionate experts Diane & Gary Hebley, whose involvement in reading, creating, teaching and writing about NZ books for children spans decades. Diane as author and Gary as the...