Media Release

Historical Whangarei films on show

Everyone interested in viewing historic images of Northland and Whangarei captured on film over the past 100 years is invited to a special film screening from The Film Archive, hosted by Whangarei Libraries on 28 November.

The event will feature a compilation of short films, showcasing stories that focus on Whangarei, Dargaville and Kaitaia.

From harvesting and processing of strawberries in 1927, activities on the water, street parades, gum digging and dairy farming, the amazing record changes to the region since film making started shows the perspectives of locals, holidaymakers and the official government publicity office.

The Film Archive staff will also talk about the medianet digital network that provides regional access to its collections through local museums, art galleries and public libraries.

“Through medianet, visitors and researchers have hundreds of videos from the collection available at their fingertips. Just ‘point and click’ to view full quality full length feature films, documentaries, home movies, short films, advertisements, music videos - there is something there for everyone, and its free!” says Film Archive project developer Diane McAllen.

“We’re thrilled to have a medinet site partner at Whangarei Central Library. This is a resource that we are building and adding to over time, in direct response to the feedback from the community. The content has been selected to appeal to a wide range of users, whether their interest is in New Zealand film culture, history, local history, literature, the arts, popular culture or Maoritanga.

“People who live in the Whangarei District have come from a wide range of backgrounds, and we have tried to reflect this variety in our selection of content.”

The Film Archive will be loading more content of specific interest to Northland communities on to the Whangarei Central Library medianet, including amateur footage of the 1953 Waipu Centennial Celebrations, Waitangi celebrations from the thirties through to the seventies, the 1948 Whangarei Popular Girl Contest, footage of activities in community halls, documentaries about local industries such as cement, glasswork, timber, gas and dairy farming; and holiday home movies of campsites and baches up and down the coast.

On Tuesday 29 November The New Zealand Film Archive staff will be at the medianet station in Whangarei’s Central Library from 11am to 1.30pm to show people through medianet and answer any questions about accessing the collections. Northland medianet presentations and evening screening details are as follows:

The Winterless North Film Programme
Monday 28 November
Old Library Community Art Centre,
7 Rust Ave, Whangarei
8pm
$5. Door sales only.

Medianet Onsite Public Presentation
Tuesday 29 November
Maori Room,
Whangarei Central Library,
Rust Ave,
Whangarei
11am to 1.30pm,
free.

ENDS

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