In 2019 Dunedin based Liz Breslin had the opportunity to participate in the City of Literature Residency Programme which enables writers to develop and share their work on an international stage. With support from Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature, Liz took up this two-month residency in Kraków, Poland. Exploring many forms of Polish literature Liz… Read more »
Aotearoa Youth Leaders, Ashlee and Blair reflect on Matariki and Puanga
The UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders have spent the past few weeks reflecting on Matariki which plays a significant role in Māori culture in signifying the start of the New Year and for plantings to begin. Here Blair Kapa-Peters and Ashlee Peacock share their experiences of Matariki. Blair: For some, the Māori Calendar begins with… Read more »
Culture Commissioner, Dr Dan Hikuroa on the plurality, nuances and history of Matariki
Dr Daniel Hikuroa became the Culture Commissioner for the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO in May 2020. Here he shares his knowledge of Matariki and the diversity of celebration that takes place across the country at this time of year. I grew up in Auckland disconnected from my marae, from ancestral knowledge. I first… Read more »
Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature teen writing prize: winners announced
A Land of Granite: Teen Writing Competition Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature in partnership with Dunedin Public Libraries and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery invited participation in a teen writing competition, timed to coincide with the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Colin McCahon exhibition A Land of Granite: McCahon and Otago. https://dunedin.art.museum/exhibitions/present/a-land-of-granite/ The writing… Read more »
New Cultural Commissioner joins National Commission
The New Zealand National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Commissioner for Culture. Dr Dan Hikuroa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui, Pākehā) has been appointed to the position of Commissioner – Culture, for a three year term and replaces outgoing Commissioner, Arapata Hakiwai. Dr… Read more »
Environmental Protection Authority’s National Te Herenga: 11 – 12 March in Porirua
Youth Leaders Morgan King and Brodie Cross joined the Evironmental Protection Agency’s Te Herenga hui in Porirua in March. The purpose of the hui was to bring rangatahi Māori together to discuss the importance of involving youth when addressing current and future issues for our taiao (environment). Brodie and Morgan report back. The hui… Read more »
COVID-19: The importance of collaboration, science and communication
Kia ora Tātou, In light of the Government’s decision on Monday 23 March to move immediately to level 3 (and subsequently level 4) of the COVID-19 response, we felt it was important to reflect on the responsibility UNESCO has—both as a National Commission and internationally—to support the sharing of reliable, trusted information. Firstly, internationally UNESCO… Read more »
New inscriptions to the New Zealand Memory of the World register for 2020
On Monday the 17th of February the newest inscriptions to the UNESCO Memory of the World New Zealand Register were made at a ceremony at National Library of New Zealand. Precious documentary heritage is added yearly to the register in recognition of its significance to New Zealand history. To celebrate the taonga inscribed on the… Read more »
Holocaust Remembrance Day and freedom of expression
On Monday the 27th of January, Robyn Baker, Chairperson of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and Vicki Soanes, Secretary General, attended Holocaust Remembrance Day organised by the Holocaust Centre in Wellington. The commemoration also acknowledged the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp, Auschwitz. National Commission Chair, Robyn Baker, spoke at… Read more »
Announcement of new Commissioners for the New Zealand National Commission of UNESCO
The New Zealand National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of two Commissioners. Vanisa Dhiru has been appointed to the position of Commissioner – Communication and Information, for a three year term and replaces outgoing Commissioner, Trish Carter. Vanisa has an extensive background within… Read more »
