2010-02-08T22:11:38+13:00 Put Maori Land Court minutes on line, they are probably NZs finest record of oral history. There is some angst relating to having them digitised, the argument being related to privacy issues. Considering that they are available at a number of different agencies that particular argument is null and void. 92 2010-02-09T02:05:27+13:00 837 1 false 2010-02-04T15:23:08+13:00 The information presented at Environment Court Hearings is a valuable resource in itself. Providing ease of access and search facilities to that information would greatly help the people of New Zealand maintain a democratic process when presenting a case for an Environmental Ruling, on both sides. The ready availability of relevant information would speed up the hearing process, by reducing wasted time because presenters would be able to make a more efficient and concise case, by seeing clearly a process that works. All New Zealanders would be in a better position to observe and participate in the process that protects our most valuable resource, our environment. 91 2010-02-06T13:56:26+13:00 819 5 false 2010-02-04T15:19:44+13:00 The information presented at Resource Management Hearings is a valuable resource in itself. Providing ease of access and search facilities to that information would greatly help the people of New Zealand maintain a democratic process when presenting a case for resource consent, on both sides. The ready availability of relevant information would speed up the hearing process, by reducing wasted time because presenters would be able to make a more efficient and concise case, by seeing clearly a process that works. 90 2010-02-06T09:23:17+13:00 819 5 false 2010-02-04T00:58:27+13:00 Southern Stars is the Royal Astronomical Society of NZ's Quarterly Journal which has been published continuously since 1934. It contains a huge amount of valuable scientific data as well as articles, information, obituaries, etc. about New Zealand's leading astronomers, observatories and astronomical societies. Our southern location with excellent views of the Galactic centre, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (our closest galactic neighbours) and numerous other important celestial objects, make our observations particularly important, especially since they have been made by a succession of outstanding amateur astronomers over a very long period of time. Southern Stars is one of the few important astronomical journals that is currently not available online; currently the only option is to ship it to the US where it would become part of the comprehensive SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS), the Digital Library portal for researchers in Astronomy and Physics. While it is important that it is made available through ADS, we should be responsible for our own heritage and retain ownership of this important scientific, cultural and historical journal in Aotearoa NZ. 89 2010-02-09T22:49:42+13:00 811 74 false 2010-01-26T15:42:00+13:00 Photographic images offer a direct testimony and understanding of the lives of European settlers in Auckland Province. Some show immigrant ships disembarking people on Princes Wharf or cargo ships in the early 20th century from the Auckland Harbour Board files; small settlements along the Kaipara Harbour and the day to day lives of early families. Photos of 19th century steam ships which connected townships on our coasts and rivers. The Bailey and Lowe albums offer an insight into the early boat building industry of Auckland. With over 400,000 photographs in the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum collections we have selected photographs for digitization based on their advanced state of degradation, fragility and worth as a unique documentary record of Auckland’s maritime and social history. 88 2010-02-09T18:09:07+13:00 757 147 false 2010-01-20T13:45:47+13:00 To create a comprehensive online directory (i.e. mini WebPages) which promotes Maori businesses and organisations. This directory would provide image rich information about what these organisations offer and how to contact them (via phone/email/or existing websites). 87 2010-02-09T02:06:16+13:00 752 9 false 2010-01-13T14:17:59+13:00 Wondering if any of your great-great-great-grandparents were criminals? The New Zealand Police Museum has a large collection of really cool mug shots from the late 19th/early 20th century which are currently inaccessible to the public because they are so delicate. We are planning a traveling exhibition to showcase these compelling images, and would also like to post a permanent selection online for the public- providing that we can secure the necessary funding to digitize the photographs. These images give a fascinating glimpse into New Zealand's dark past, and could be an essential resource for anyone interested in researching genealogy, social history, crime and punishment, early photography, colonialism...the list goes on! This collection of mug shots is of rare quality and contains some incredible images of Victorian criminals which we would love to share with the public. 86 2010-02-09T18:09:10+13:00 741 41 false 2010-01-08T09:17:07+13:00 http://omeka.org/ is a great open source CMS for online exhibits that is used quite a bit in the US university sector. It has an AOI-PMH harvester plugin, but it seems DigitalNZ uses a custom API based off Apache Lucene, not OAI-PMH? It would be great if someone could write an Omeka plugin using the DigitalNZ API library so we could harvest metadata from your database, and present it in Omeka. 85 2010-02-05T12:10:14+13:00 462 3 false 2009-12-09T13:56:26+13:00 Every year at Capital E children aged from 7 years up make media works in our live television broadcast studio and our digital multimedia suite, Soundhouse. These snapshots of the world through the eyes of our children are the precious legacy for future generations. This idea is to enable the easy access and safe archiving of the work of thousands of children by creating an online archive of their media works, and enable teachers to integrate the media into classroom programmes. 84 2010-01-28T21:58:57+13:00 711 7 false 2009-12-03T08:23:33+13:00 The first run of the Nelson Photo News is a rare and unique photographic record of life in Nelson in the early 1960’s and 1970’s – a time of rapid social and cultural change. The serial captures personal and community events through photographs and lively commentary. As the editor Barry Simpson stated in the first issue: “Our experience …. indicates that many people allow the first issue or two to be destroyed, which is regretted later….subscribers grow to value the pictorial record of community life.” Unfortunately most early issues have been discarded, and over the run only a handful of complete sets are believed to exist in private collections; Nelson Public Libraries and the Nelson Provincial Museum each have incomplete sets. The Friends of the Nelson Library, supported by the Nelson Public Library and the Nelson Provincial Museum, have been responding to community pressure to do something about preserving and making accessible this valuable resource. The project has been scoped and is ready to go – with adequate funding 83 2010-02-09T16:45:22+13:00 198 83 false 2009-11-07T12:35:49+13:00 These also list people by name, address and occupation and date from the 1800s till early 20th century and are a most helpful resource for searching family history 82 2010-02-09T18:10:35+13:00 651 29 false 2009-11-07T12:34:14+13:00 These directorpoes date from the late 19th century till the late 20th century and detail the names occupations and addresses of residents thrioyught New Zealand. They can also be searched by address as wwell as names. A valuable resource for those interested in family history. 81 2010-02-09T18:11:15+13:00 651 20 false 2009-08-26T18:35:09+12:00 Official publications of the 10 provinces are something of a Cinderella compared with those of central government (e.g. AJHRs), but are essential and rich resources for regional history. Priority should be the Votes & Proceedings and associated 'Papers', which are as scarce as hens' teeth. Some (e.g. Nelson Provincial Council) have already been microfilmed which would make this an easier project. A great complement to the early part of Papers Past. (N.B. The very expensive LexisNexis Gazette database includes most provincial council gazettes -- Nelson yet to be included -- so presumably off limits for this forum.) 79 2010-02-08T23:34:53+13:00 504 22 false 2009-08-21T13:24:04+12:00 Since the early 1940's, NZ taxpayers have paid for regular aerial photography coverage of all of New Zealand. The primary purpose of the photography was to assist the production of topographic maps of the country. Now, all this aerial photography contains a rich and extremely detailed history of landuse, environmental change and settlement. This photography should all be digitized and made available online so all New Zealanders can research and study our historical land use patterns, and map the changes we've wrought upon this land. Unfortunately, most of the historic aerial photography coverage is currently only available in printed form through a very costly research process from one or two private providers. 78 2010-02-08T09:55:58+13:00 501 45 false 2009-08-11T13:45:25+12:00 Since this book is unlikely to be reprinted, it should be digitised. This is a must have book for those interested in New Zealand Archaeology and Maori History 77 2010-02-04T16:25:18+13:00 488 15 false 2009-08-09T11:08:02+12:00 Great local paper full of local history and people 76 2009-12-18T13:40:07+13:00 483 8 false 2009-08-03T12:56:24+12:00 This was a songbook Apirana Ngata gave to Maori soldiers going to WW1 in 1914, a copy of the book is in the National Library. It has Maori lyrics for popular songs of the time like "Home Sweet Home", and a collection of the most famous haka, modified for anti German use. Also a very early version of Hokihoki Tonu Mai. 75 2010-02-09T02:07:01+13:00 479 10 false 2009-08-03T10:50:49+12:00 Slightly off-topic, but... Working in the public sector, I regularly see neat little bits of code developed. As these are publicly funded, I would argue they should be released under some sort of open-source / copyleft arrangement. I have tried to get this to happen at my organisation, but it seems anathema to our legal people! Perhaps a version of "Crown" GNU could be developed? 74 2009-11-11T09:59:18+13:00 478 9 false 2009-07-29T13:15:47+12:00 Contains get statistical information of use to a range of researchers 73 2010-02-08T23:37:49+13:00 299 22 false 2009-07-28T21:26:00+12:00 The Māori Land Court Minute Books contain judges’ notes on court sittings from 1865 to 1910. These sittings covered court proceedings to do with succession and ownership of land, as well as, in some cases Māori to Māori adoptions. They contain a good deal of whakapapa information and may be useful for whakapapa researchers to consult. 72 2010-02-01T23:14:18+13:00 151 38 false 2009-07-22T10:25:25+12:00 New Zealand's premier arts and literature magazine since its founding in 1947. I imagine that there are enormous copyright issues involved, but having this online and freely available would be amazing. 71 2010-02-08T23:38:10+13:00 457 34 false 2009-07-22T10:14:18+12:00 Short-lived and contentious Auckland daily newspaper, with a conservative and anti-government slant. Ran under two different titles from 1885 to 1888. 70 2009-12-18T13:50:37+13:00 457 8 false 2009-07-22T10:11:51+12:00 Auckland newspaper published by John Moore from November 1841 to February 1845. 69 2009-12-18T13:41:09+13:00 457 7 false 2009-07-22T10:05:13+12:00 An early attempt at a New Zealand scientific and political periodical, the New Zealand Magazine lasted only two issues (Jan. - Apr. 1850). However, it's an interesting record of the climate of the thought in the young colony, and contains articles by authors like William Swainson and the Rev. Richard Taylor. 68 2010-01-14T22:16:52+13:00 457 10 false 2009-07-19T21:53:40+12:00 It would be great to have the RSA Reviews (Monthly) digitised and on-line. I believe there is only one complete set in existence,(NZ RSA Headquarters in Wellington). They contain great stories of life in the services both overseas and within New Zealand. Some of the stories told are of great historical and human interest. Just one accident could see this resource lost forever. 67 2009-12-19T10:27:45+13:00 452 17 false 2009-07-18T12:19:09+12:00 It is unfortunate that this paper's digitisation stopped so early. I have to travel far to research these. Is there any chance that it will be extended in the future? 66 2009-12-18T13:51:15+13:00 449 17 false 2009-07-16T14:12:41+12:00 It has photographs and useful information about the early history of Canterbury area. Especially photographs and info about the WW1 soldiers 65 2010-02-07T01:21:58+13:00 430 75 false 2009-07-11T21:04:44+12:00 Second only to AJHRs surely. For historians the records of since 1854 are a very significant source of primary information. 64 2009-12-19T10:28:01+13:00 410 48 false 2009-07-10T10:11:39+12:00 Published by Henry Falwasser. An early newspaper which didn't last long but of historical value. Not many original copies survived but there is some around at various institutions. Would be a good collaboration to gather all surviving copies and digitise them. 63 2009-12-18T13:41:53+13:00 299 60 false 2009-07-05T14:05:33+12:00 Police Gazettes contain a wealth of invaluable information, much of it genealogical, that many people do not even know exists. The Gazettes started back in about the 1870s and detail instances of victims of crime, suspects, and offenders. 62 2010-02-09T18:13:12+13:00 378 324 false 2009-07-04T21:38:38+12:00 Birth, death and marriage records. It currently costs $25 to do a search. You should be able to do this yourself online. Also othe government and local body records such as cemetaries, orphanages, schools, war memorials, military records, etc. 61 2010-02-09T18:16:10+13:00 376 220 false 2009-07-03T15:43:35+12:00 It would be great to have this magazine online, as a record of the feminist and women's movement in NZ. Great for researchers and just for everyone to have to read... 59 2010-02-07T16:53:07+13:00 373 82 false 2009-07-02T15:51:02+12:00 There must be other people apart from me who would love to see the Wyndham Farmer digitised. I have four generations from the 1800's that lived and worked in Wyndham Southland. 58 2010-02-08T19:00:04+13:00 366 21 false 2009-07-02T14:33:25+12:00 The statutes and regulations for New Zealand for this period are only available in hard copy volumes (some of which are deteriorating rapidly). Taken together with the Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives this would provide a research and historical resource of considerable value not only to the legal profession and historians. 57 2010-02-08T23:42:21+13:00 362 151 false 2009-07-01T13:36:58+12:00 Taxi drivers always have really interesting stories to tell. Like the one who told me about being an ambulance driver during the Wahine disaster. Or the other one who told me about being a medic in New York during the bad days of New York. Not to mention the crime stories I've heard. It would be cool if someone could sit in a taxi with NZ taxi drivers and travel all around just recording their stories. Would make great social history. 56 2010-02-09T05:12:28+13:00 164 10 false 2009-06-30T21:22:23+12:00 Harvey type this up and turn it into a place * to capture holdings of print * capture conditions of print * capture desired digitalness * capture already digital and access modes free/fee * issue retrospective ISSNs or other unique IDs etc 55 2009-12-14T16:30:43+13:00 151 37 false 2009-06-30T21:13:25+12:00 I imagine all of yesterdays papers are sent as a digital file to a printer. Yet we aren't collecting them. We are making black and white microfilm. Imagine that. 54 2010-02-01T23:22:56+13:00 151 76 false 2009-06-30T21:02:43+12:00 A peer-reviewed scholarly journal published annually by the Turnbull Library in association with the Friends of the Turnbull Library. It focuses on the history and society of New Zealand and its South Pacific neighbours and on early printed books, the works of John Milton and his contemporaries, and fine printing. I am sure these were born digital - so it is really about providing digital access - could be a lead to other scholarly (born digital - but not accessible) scholarly journals This could be an open access journal - I am sure Alexander Turnbull would have liked the idea of open access 53 2010-02-08T23:42:58+13:00 151 22 false 2009-06-30T20:38:22+12:00 These are itemised in http://www.stats.govt.nz/analytical-reports/statistical-publications.htm which could be a good start to hang stuff off 52 2010-02-04T14:01:35+13:00 151 21 false 2009-06-30T10:43:17+12:00 51 2009-08-31T22:38:51+12:00 347 43 false 2009-06-30T10:41:30+12:00 The Lyttelton Times Co. began The Star in 1868. Over the years it has changed names a few times to Christchurch Star-Sun, the Christchurch Star and more recently a return to The Star. 50 2009-12-13T13:55:47+13:00 347 90 false 2009-06-30T10:39:07+12:00 Originally published as the Evening Star, from 24 March 1870 to 7 March 1879, the paper continued as the Auckland Evening Star between 8 March 1879 and 12 April 1887, and from then on as the Auckland Star. 49 2009-12-18T13:45:23+13:00 347 84 false 2009-06-30T10:37:23+12:00 From the Wanganui Chronicle website: Local resident Henry Stokes projected the notion of a newspaper for Petre as the town was called in those days, but having no printing press available in the town at the time approached the technical master at Wanganui Collegiate School, and together they constructed of maire wood and iron a make shift printing press, on which the first edition of the Wanganui Chronicle and Rangitikei Messenger was printed on the 18th Sept 1856. 48 2009-11-25T11:32:29+13:00 347 60 false 2009-06-30T10:35:15+12:00 We've had a fair number of requests for this paper to be added to Papers Past. 47 2010-02-03T20:38:53+13:00 347 158 false 2009-06-30T10:34:02+12:00 46 2009-12-20T18:25:14+13:00 347 122 false 2009-06-30T10:30:05+12:00 A few of our loyal fans have requested the Tapanui Courier to be added to Papers Past. Tapanui is in West Otago, located on State Highway 90 and situated on the edge of the forest at the base of the Blue Mountains. 45 2010-02-08T19:00:52+13:00 347 47 false 2009-06-29T14:35:25+12:00 A forerunner to the telephone directory, they contain detailed information on people, their occupations & places of residence, and on businesses in a region. There are directories for Dunedin, Otago & Southland; Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough & Westland; and Wellington, Hawkes Bay & Taranaki. We (NZMS) are underway with digitising and creating text searchable versions of Stones and would welcome votes and comments! 44 2010-02-09T18:17:24+13:00 338 209 false 2009-06-29T14:27:57+12:00 All the titles listed so far are worthy candidates, but they split the vote! Lets look at the big picture of New Zealand's newspaper heritage and ensure it all gets done systematically and nothing more is lost. This was an outcome of the National Newspaper Forum organised by the National Library before last year's NDF Conference (Nov 2008). So vote for a national programme of preserving historical newspapers. Have a look at this 1899 issue of the Manawatu Evening Standard if you're not convinced! http://www.micrographics.co.nz/GALLERY/tabid/201/Default.aspx 43 2010-02-09T18:17:56+13:00 338 86 false 2009-06-26T07:42:12+12:00 Advertising and consumer patterns have changed hugely in the last decade or so, and will continue to change as different products and economic pressures come into play. Flyers & circulars reflect these changes over time, but they're thrown out for the most part. Digitising these would create a useful and eclectic record of commercialism in New Zealand. 42 2009-07-21T10:29:29+12:00 324 12 false 2009-06-25T20:00:11+12:00 The Herald was one of Auckland's major early papers, founded by William Chisholm Wilson. 41 2010-02-06T09:24:01+13:00 16 138 false