It’s on! Work begins on Te Manawataki o Te Papa
In January, a group of Tauranga City Council staff members, commissioners, construction partners, and mana whenua gathered for the blessing of the Te Manawataki o Te Papa site ahead of the beginning of construction on the new library and community hub. The blessing marked an important milestone for the civic precinct project which, once complete, will include a library and community hub, museum and exhibition gallery, civic whare (public meeting house), along with associated landscaping and an upgrade of Baycourt.
Our new library and community hub will span three floors and offer a wide range of services and resources including all of your usual library favourites, customer services for all your council queries and payments, an inclusive tamariki activity area, a technology-rich innovation space, events and bookable meeting areas, a research centre that includes a significant archive collection, a café, and so much more. We’re all quite excited.
Council has committed to putting sustainability at the forefront of the design, targeting a 6 Green Star rating which reflects world leadership in sustainability. To achieve that aspiration, a mass timber hybrid structure has been adopted to
minimise the buildings’ carbon impact and help create a better environment for our future.
The interior mock ups are looking just lovely, featuring lots of timber details, bright pops of colour, and excellent views of the harbour. There are also plenty of spaces for artworks, some of which are being arranged by the Otamataha Trust, and we are glad to be able to embrace some familiar features from our past libraries: the stained glass and tukutuku panels from the old Tauranga Library will be making their triumphant return. Some of the leadlight windows have been with us since the 1930s art deco building that housed the public library and borough electricity department.
The new library and community hub is expected to be completed by 25 May 2026 (early reports suggest the contractors on site are flying through the initial work). We’ll then take 2-3 months to fit it out (we’re sure all the book lovers reading this will understand how difficult they are to move in large quantities!) before opening.
To read more about the transformation of our city centre, and to keep up to date with developments, visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/ourfuturecitycentre
Above: The site was officially blessed by local kaumatua Tamati Tata and Puhirake Ihaka, Chair of Otamataha Trust.
Cover & left: Renders of the new library exterior and Te Manawataki o Te Papa site.
If you like . . . then try . .
Reader’s advisory from our selection experts.
If you like . . .
by Jax Calder
If you like . . .
then try . . .
R Ellor
then try . . .
Grossman
If you like . . .
The Future
by Naomi Alderman
then try . . .
The Mandibles by Lionel Shriver
or . . .
or . . .
Jamie Oliver
or . . .
Termination Shock by
Neal Stephenson
Character-driven, LGBTQ+, young-adult romance with the ever appealing ‘hating to dating’ storyline.
Junior fiction ‘green reads’ with a superb blend of magic, suspense, and conservation themes.
Science fiction novels set in the near future, where human society has been significantly altered by issues we’re dealing with today.
.
The Other Brother
May the Best Man Win by Z
Icebreaker by A. L. Graziadei
Greenwild: The World Behind the Door by Pari Thomson
The Silver Arrow by Lev
Billy and the Giant Adventure by
Introducing: Book Club Kits
Are you thinking of setting up a new book club and looking for inspiration? Or do you already have an established club but are tired of struggling to find enough copies of the designated book to all read at the same time? Whichever camp you’re in, we are excited beyond words to share the news that we now offer Book Club Kits, starting at Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library.
Our Book Club Kits are free to borrow and consist of ten copies of the same book, prompt questions to start your book club discussion, an information sheet explaining how it all works, and a numbered sheet you can use to record who has each book. There is a selection of popular titles to choose from, and new titles are added regularly! Some of the current titles available are: Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang, Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams, Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister, and Better the Blood by Michael Bennett, to name a few!
How it works:
Titles can be found on the library catalogue by searching ‘Tauranga Book Club’ in the title or
general field. Available titles can be borrowed for six weeks (no renewals) and are first in first served (no holds). One book club member is responsible for checking out and returning the Book Club Kit to Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library (it will show as one issue on their library account) and they will also be responsible for any lost or damaged books (no pressure!).
We will roll this out to the other community libraries, but for now, kits are collected from Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library only and must be returned to Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library during opening hours, as they can’t be returned through the after-hours slot.
We are so happy to be able to offer these kits to local book clubs. The age-old problem of sourcing enough copies of a book to go around might just be over! For more information, visit our website or talk to one of our library staff members.
Above: Fiona organises Adult Book Chat and our staff book club, so knows the difficulties involved in keeping a book club running.
Kia Kaha te Pānui –Summer Reads 2023 by the numbers
Our summer reading programme is always an annual highlight. Summer seems to come and go too quickly, but the smiling faces we meet throughout the season generate a buzz amongst our staff which lasts well into the year.
Let’s examine some of the numbers from this year’s programme!
There were 934 completions.
A total of 50 years combined reading time was logged during the programme!
There were 1,690 reviews written.
More girls than boys completed the programme (797 v 610)
8-year-old children represented the largest participant age group (180)
The top participating school was Bethlehem College with 102 children, followed by home schoolers with 64.
Approx. 1,830 children participated in the 36 activity sessions we held in our libraries.
Fantasy, dragons, and Dog Man were all super popular!
Here are some snippets of the feedback received:
“The girls loved it, and their confidence grew so much between check-in one and check-in three.”
“I am grateful that you ran the challenge. It encouraged us to read over the holidays—we would have done very little or none otherwise.”
“I just want to reiterate how impressed I was, how much the kids loved it, and how lovely the staff were. We had a different staff member for each check-in and every one of them was enthusiastic and engaged with the kids. Thank you!”
“Our kids were motivated to read for pleasure in their own time. They were able to find new books/ series and were talking nonstop about reading!”
Thank you to everyone who participated in this summer’s programme and for all who turned up to the wonderful finale party. We’d also like to share a huge thank you to the Friends of the Library for supporting us with their time, plus a generous grant from Pub Charity which assisted with the cost of the many prize books.
Above: Around a thousand people attended this year’s finale party—it was a blast!
Lunchbox fillers (with really long titles)
Back-to-school, or work-lunch blues? Here are a few titles to give you some fresh ideas!
152 Non-Sad Lunches You Can Make in 5 Minutes
Alexander Hart
Lunchbox: 75+ Easy and Delicious Recipes for Lunches on the Go Aviva Wittenberg
Back to School Snacks
Sophia Young, Australian Women’s Weekly
Simply Bento: Delicious Box Lunch Ideas for Healthy Portions to Go Yuko and Noriko
Let's Fix Lunch: Enjoy Delicious, Planet-Friendly Meals at Work, School, Or on the Go
Kat Nouri
Celebrating Robert Burns
Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist (25 January 1759–21 July 1796). Born in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He wrote lyrics and songs in Scots and in English and is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement. As well as making original compositions, Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His poem (and song) ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and ‘Scots Wha Hae’ served for a long time as an unofficial national anthem of the country. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well known across the world today include ‘A Red, Red Rose’, ‘A Man's a Man for A' That’, ‘To a Louse’, ‘To a Mouse’, ‘The Battle of Sherramuir’, ‘Tam o' Shanter’ and ‘Ae Fond Kiss’. Burns was not only famous for his verse and great love-songs, but also for his character, his high spirits, and indulgent lifestyle.
The poetry of Robert Burns became immensely popular in 19th-century Scotland, and that enthusiasm was brought to Otago. A statue of the poet (above), who was also the uncle of the settlement’s first spiritual leader, Thomas Burns, was unveiled in Dunedin way back in 1887.
Burns Night marks the anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth on 25 January 1759 and the traditional Burns
supper is an evening event that celebrates his life and work. The ritual of the Burns Supper was started by close friends of Robert Burns a few years after his death and the format remains largely unchanged today, beginning with the chairman of the supper inviting the assembled company to welcome in the haggis. The poem ‘To a Haggis’ is recited and the haggis is then toasted with a glass of whisky. The evening ends with a rousing rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
Whilst we were unable to supply whisky and haggis at the library, we did celebrate Burns Night at Te Ao Mārama - Greerton Library by holding a fitting tribute. On 25 January, patrons enjoyed listening to some traditional Scottish music played on the harp by Margaret Harper and hearing the work of Robert Burns, as read by Stephanie Smith, Jenny Argante, and Leslie Goodliffe. During that lunchtime period the library was buzzing with music and literature, which was greatly appreciated by the staff members, patrons, and dedicated Burns fans present. On behalf of the library, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Margaret, Stephanie, Jenny, and Leslie for providing such a wonderful tribute to Robert Burns and his work.
His spirit most definitely lives on!
Top left: Burns Night drew a great crowd, but why won't people sit in the front row?. Top right: Robert Burns’ statue in Dunedin.
Follow Pae Korokī, Tauranga Archives Online on Facebook
Pae Korokī, Tauranga Archives Online has quietly launched its own Facebook page. This allows our Heritage and Research team to pull something out of its now 76,000-strong collection and say, “Hey, look at this”, or “This is new”.
Pae Korokī is no stranger to Facebook, often appearing in history-focused groups. “We love seeing our collection celebrated online”, Heritage Specialist Harley says, “there are some great curators out there and there’s no doubt that Facebook broadens the reach of archive material”.
“Social media is such a good match for presenting archive material. People seem to really respond to stumbling upon old images of familiar places in
Above: A sample of the quality content you’ll be seeing if you follow us!
their feeds and it stimulates great conversations about fond memories.”
Facebook is also a great tool for improving how we describe some of our taonga. Often a photograph taken in 1963, for example, was simply described as “Gala Day” but on Facebook, the names of the pupils in the photo might come to light. Facebook then, becomes a convenient way to improve the information we have about the material we’re taking care of.
You can find Pae Korokī on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/paekoroki
Young Adult Fiction
Books we’re looking forward to in 2024
The Breakup Lists by Adib Khorram
Jackson Ghasnavi is happy to work as a stage manager for his high school’s theatre department and live vicariously through his sister Jasmine’s romantic life. But living in the background gets complicated when the boy his sister is crushing on catches his eye, too!
Young Adult Fiction
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
In this new mystery thriller, the past comes knocking on 18-yearold Bel’s doorstep when her long-lost mother, Rachel Price, reappears after a 16-year-long disappearance. True crime lovers will tear through this story of a murky past in search of the truth.
Young Adult Fiction
The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis
Inspired by the true story of C.R. Patterson, a black man who escaped slavery and carved out a place for his family in Ohio society, this series follows that wealthy black family in the early 1910s. This sequel picks up right where book one left off.
Young Adult Fiction
Such
Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus
Kat and her mother, Jamie, are jewel thieves, ready to leave the life of crime behind—after one final heist at billionaire Ross Sutherland’s birthday party. But when the birthday boy turns up dead, can Kat outrun the killer?
Junior Fiction
Junior Fiction
Skandar and the Chaos Trials by A. F. Steadman (book 3)
Fantasy fiction featuringlots of heroes and unicorns. Recommended as the best junior fiction since Harry Potter.
Junior Fiction
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
A much-hyped fantasy hinging on the discovery of a magical place called the archipelago where mythical creatures live.
Junior Fiction
The Grimmelings by Rachael King (NZ author)
Ella discovers her family is living under the shadow of a vengeful kelpie. With the help of her beloved pony Magpie, can she break the curse?
The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble (NZ author)
Bastienne, a young orphan, is an apprentice to the 'Witnesser of Miracles' which leads to a life filled with wonder and peril.
The oldest book in the library
The earliest dated book in the library’s collections is a Latin edition of the Bible in four parts, published in 1585 by Henry Middleton of London. The title is so long we couldn’t fit it into this article without using up most of our ideal word count. If you must know it, you can find the title by searching ‘latin bible’ in the library catalogue—if you do so, we suggest you use Google Translate to turn the Latin title into English.
The four parts are:
1. Translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew into Latin by John Immanuel Tremellio (Tremellius) and Francisco Junio (Franciscus Junius—his sonin-law).
2. "The books generally called apocrypha, rendered in Latin… by Francisco Junio".
3. "The books of the New Testament [translated into Latin] from the Syriac language by the same Tremellio".
4. The same books “translated from the Greek into Latin by Theodoro Beza [Théodore de Bèze]”.
We are checking our old accession records to find out where and when we got the volume, so far without success. We would love to know, when did Robert Squires (name handwritten inside) own the volume? Where?
During the early 1990s it was one of the volumes
described by an incomplete project to list all the pre-1801 books in Australia and New Zealand. This notes that the copy is “imperfect”— the collective title page, the title for Part 1, and pages 401-424 are missing, and the binding appears to be nineteenth century and very worn. It was well-used, and perhaps not so well looked after in later life. Today it is kept in a clamshell box made of acid-free, archival card, and stored in a space with constant temperature and humidity to give it the best chance for a stable future.
All three of the translators were notable Reformed Protestant scholars, theologians and teachers— Beza co-founded the Genevan academy in 1559 with John Calvin and was its first rector. When Calvin died in 1564 Beza (de Bèze) succeeded Calvin as chief pastor of the Geneva church until his own death in 1605.
This combination of translations of the Old and New Testaments was published many times, and in many cities in Europe, up until the eighteenth century. It was used as a reference for the King James Version in English, published in 1611, for use by the church in Britain. Since most missionaries to New Zealand were from Protestant churches, this may be how the volume travelled to New Zealand.
More archive deep-dives can be found at the blog: taurangahistorical.blogspot.com
Above: Information Access Specialist Leslie Goodliffe browses the shelves in our climate-controlled offsite archive facility.
Then and Now
Then: Post office on the corner of Grey and Spring Streets, Tauranga c. 1940.
(Tauranga City Libraries
Photo 99-1287)
Then: Tauranga's harbour bridge, 20 November 1987. Construction barges in foreground.
(Tauranga City Libraries
Photo 01-493)
Now: ANZ’s Tauranga branch occupies the site.
Now: Tauranga’s harbour looks a picture during the recent test match between the Blackcaps and South Africa.
Book Talk: the characters we're most like!
Charliene
The book character I most identify with is: Mercedes Thompson from the Mercy series, written by Patricia Briggs. She is a strong, independent woman who holds her own even as the underdog. She also has a group of amazing friends she can always count on.
The best place to read is: During autumn with the fire on, on the couch with a blanket, a cat on my lap, and a cup of tea next to me.
Paul
The book character I most identify with is: Charlie Kelmeckis from the Perks of Being a Wallflower, though I was most disappointed when the film was released, as Logan Lerman does not look anything like me. Phooey!
The best place to read: On the electric bus home.
Cameron
The book character I most identify with is: Murtagh (from the Inheritance Cycle series) because he also doesn't do well in crowded places and much prefers his own space. Of course, we both have a select few that are welcome in our space. For Murtagh it's his dragon Thorn and for me it’s my friends and (some of) my family. Although, if I had a dragon, it would be the top of the list!
The best place to read: In the shade on a warm day.
Hanna
(Hanna didn’t supply a book character that she most identifies with. Anybody who’s met Hanna would agree that she is indeed one-of-akind and that no author, no matter how brilliant, would dream her up! – Ed.)
The best place to read: A lounger at the bach.
Skye
The book character I most identify with is: Buttercup from The Powerpuff Girls (Not a book character, Skye! – Ed.)
The best place to read: Curled up on the couch, on a rainy day, with the windows open and the smell of the rain coming in.
Vatina
The book character I most identify with is: The Very Hungry Caterpillar because I love eating food. From fresh fruits and vegetables, to fries and ice cream. I too end up with an achy tummy when I overindulge.
The best place to read is: On the couch with my four cats.
Daniel
The book character I most identify with is: Spider-Man, minus the superpowers, the genius, the physique … hmm, okay, new answer: the cantankerous loner Harvey Pekar.
The best place to read: in bed on a warm summer's night with the window open, accompanied by a breeze and the distant sound of waves crashing on Tay Street beach. I experienced this exactly once, while I happened to be reading The Old Man and the Sea, and it was magic (I’ve since gotten a heat pump so no longer need to risk opening a bedroom window during mosquito season).
Books we're looking forward to in April
My Favourite Mistake
by Marian Keyes
Catch up with the Walsh family in another heart-warming novel from Marian Keyes. Anna Walsh had a dream life—according to everyone else. She packs it all in, moves back to Dublin and now lives with her parents. Follow what happens next!
Black Silk and Sympathy
by Deborah Challinor
The first in a new historical series by a bestselling New Zealand author, exploring the fascinating world of Victorian funeral customs and featuring Sydney’s first female undertaker.
Sanctuary
by Garry Disher
A thrilling noir set in South Australia, which follows Grace while she's forced to lie low in a small rural town. A different life beckons but there are dangerous men watching her ...
