Auckland Libraries blog

Today Amelia, Community Library Manager at Māngere East Library, joins us to share how she celebrates Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week.  Talanoa with Amelia, Community Library Manager at Māngere East Library Tâlofa nî! Please tell us a bit about yourself and your relationship with Gagana Tokelau (the Tokelau language). Mua mua e hiki te fakafetai ki to tatou Atua mo tona alofa ki a ki tatou te mamalu o Tokelau. Firstly, I give thanks, praise and glory to God for his endless love he gives to his people of Tokelau. E fakatulou atu ki te mamalu o te kaiga Tokelau i Niu Hila ma Tokelau vena foki ki o tatou tino i na koga kekehe i te lalolagi. This is an acknowledgement to all Tokelau people in New Zealand, Tokelau and throughout the world. Taloha ni. Ko toku igoa ko Amelia, ko au te pule o te faletuhi o Māngere East. Hi everyone, my name is Amelia and I am the Community Library Manager based at Māngere East Library.  I am a country girl, born and raised in the heart of Ao

Today Sepa Puleoti, Senior Library Assistant Pasifika at Auckland Libraries, joins us to share how she celebrates Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week.  Talanoa with Sepa Puleoti, Senior Library Assistant Pasifika Fakaalofa atu! Please tell us a bit about your role at Auckland Libraries? Fakaalofa lahi atu kia mutolu oti. My name is Sepa Puleoti and I am the Senior Library Assistant Pasifika in the Waitematā local board, based at Grey Lynn Library. I am bilingual (fluent in English and the Niuean language) and have an excellent understanding of the Pasifika community, which allows me to really establish a strong rapport with many Niuean and Pacific Islander customers. During Pasifika and Pacific Language Weeks, I have had the opportunity of organising events, (with the help of my colleagues) inviting our local schools to perform, and I help out with Storytime. How do you celebrate Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue?   Home is where the heart is when it comes to celebrating my cultur

Today Daren Kamali, Pacific Heritage Advisor at Auckland Libraries, joins us to share how he celebrates Macawa Ni Vosa Vaka Viti - Fiji Language Week.  Daren is one of our  Pasifika specialists . Auckland Libraries has Pasifika specialists with diverse interests based in libraries throughout Tāmaki Makaurau. Click here to find out more about how we can support you and your community. Talanoa with Daren Kamali, Pacific Heritage Advisor Bula! Please tell us a bit about your role at Auckland Libraries? I'm Daren Kamali – Heritage Pacific Advisor at Auckland Libraries Special Collections.  How do you celebrate Macawa Ni Vosa Vaka Viti?   I celebrate Macaw Ni Vosa Vaka Viti by Talanoa Vaka Viti, speaking Fijian with elders of the family and close friends, I also get the children to read Fijian books during this time. Always a special thing to have some Yaqona, Talanoa and Fijian food, like curry and roti, miti, wheke and lovu.  How do you connect with friends and family during this time

Today the lovely Angelina Taungahihifo joins us from New Lynn War Memorial Library to share how she celebrates 'Uike Katonga'i 'oe Lea Faka-Tonga - Tongan Language Week.  Angelina is one of our  Pasifika specialists . Auckland Libraries has Pasifika specialists with diverse interests based in libraries throughout Tāmaki Makaurau. Click here to find out more about how we can support you and your community. Talanoa with  Angelina Taungahihifo Mālō e lelei! Tell us a little about yourself, Angelina! Mālō e lelei, my name is Angelina Taungahihifo. I work as the Senior Library Assistant for Pasifika based at New Lynn War Memorial Library. My role focuses on engaging with customers from the local Pacific community, helping to increase participation and use of the library, and designing innovative programs that meet the community's needs. I am 30 years of age, currently live in West Auckland with my parents and currently working towards completing my Bachelor of Arts Degree do

We chatted to a few members of the Rainbow Working Group at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero Central City Library to find out how their mahi is making a difference for Auckland’s diverse communities.  We are lucky enough to have a uniquely positioned library in Tāmaki Makaurau, which sits at the heart of our bustling CBD. The Central City Library caters to customers from all walks of life, and the staff that work there are committed to ensuring the library is a place that supports and embraces all customers – especially the local rainbow communities.  The Rainbow Working Group at Central City Library has been collaborating closely with the community to find out what we can do to make library experiences fun, safe and engaging but, most importantly, to give a genuine sense of belonging here at Auckland Libraries.  We spoke to members Rhion and Rhi about their innovative projects and their experiences being a part of Auckland’s diverse rainbow community.   Rhi Lennox: Library Assistant a