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In this episode we chat with associate curator heritage collections Melanie Kung about a recent project related to the United Nations Publications collections here at Auckland Libraries. Melanie talks us through the historical value of this collection, the mana associated with Auckland Libraries having been an early repository for the UN Collection in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the changing nature of print collections in content and design. You can read more about the collection in her Heritage et AL Blog here: https://heritageetal.blogspot.com/2026/10/the-united-nations-at-auckland-libraries.html

Explore the stories of Avondale Racecourse through a self-guided audio walk around the racetrack. Or, listen in your own space and experience the sounds and voices of this important community space in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. If you want to listen to the audio while walking at the Avondale Racecourse, you need to start standing on the track, facing West, next to the Wingate Reserve Entrance, 43 Wingate Street, Avondale. When you are there you can press play on your audio device. We suggest you listen through headphones. This sound work was originally created for The Public Stand 2: An Ode to Avondale Racecourse, presented as part of the 2025 Whau Arts Festival. For more about the Avondale Racecourse and the live performance for which the original sound was created, go to: https://www.avondaleracecoursealliance.co.nz/ https://artswhau.org.nz/project/the-public-stand-2/ Read more and see heritage images here: https://heritageetal.blogspot.com/2026/10/the-public-stand-ode-to-avondale.html Credits for the audio: Co-creators: Becca Wood & Molly Mullen Sound design: Peter Hobbs Voices (in order): Pita Turei Jan Skinner Lisa Truttman Marlene Milverton Trina Smith Mandy Siitia Jo Smith Lance Blair Franca Wood Mrs Valda Braithwaite, Mrs Foster, Vera Fowler, Mr McKellow, Mr Mays, Merv Raymond, and Mrs Thomas, from the Avondale Oral History Project, 1990, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/oralhistory/id/2360/rec/1

Akinki Manukau describes why growing food is her passion. She talks about alternative moon calendar, organic growing, how she wants to grow food that will nurture people. Akink also highlights the indigenous communal aspect of growing your own food. OH_1104_018_4_018_03 Akinki Manukau, oral history, 2013

Jarcinda Stowers-Ama talks about how difficult was to find traditional Cook Islands food in New Zealand, like specific types of taro. She recalls traditional Christmas Cook Islands’ recipes and Asian markets as a source for her ingredients. OH-1185-001-01 Jarcinda Stowers-Ama, oral history, 2014

Sue Gee remembers how enthusiastic her dad was when he had a new cooking inspiration. Explains cooking processes like soaking octopus two days in advance. She recalls having mostly Chinese cooking when her granddad was around. SA_0187_002 Sue Gee, oral history, 2020

Teri Taukoriri recollects mealtimes as a family in Kiribas and describes the different dishes he ate. He also describes his father’s fishing expeditions. OH_1297_001 Teri Taukoriri, oral history, 2019

Mukesh Bhana talks about his father’s takeaway restaurants, mostly Indian, Chinese and Fijian food. He explains what Fiji-Chinese cuisine is. Mukesh also talks about his first cooking experiences. OH_1095_006 Mukesh Bhana, oral history, 2013

Leva Hoeft talks about the market in Otara. She talks about cooking fish, potatoes and bananas. OH_1355_011_02 Leva Hoeft, oral history, 1990.

Emora Magatogia describes learning how to cook, the dishes her family would have for breakfast and dinner. She also comments on food prices and her husband being a good cook. OH_1467_006_02 Emora Magatogia, oral history, 2022 .

Allan Jaffe talks about his early childhood days. He remembers his grandmother preparing for Shabbas on Wednesdays. Allan recalls getting billies to collect milk so his grandmother could make cottage cheese. He also comments about the tradition of eating associate with traditional festivals. OH_1434_035_02 Alan Jaffe, oral history, 2011

Suzanne Chan On talks about her father cooking skills and his advice on the importance to preserve family secrets. OH_1133_003_03 Suzanne Chan On, oral history, 2014

Join us at our Heritage Feast, where every dish tells a story and every flavour offers a glimpse into the rich cultural mosaic of our communities.

Mahad describes challenges refugee youth face, including feeling misunderstood and navigating dual cultural identities. Shares his own experience running youth programmes. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH-1543-002. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Mahad Yusuf, 2025. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1966-028.

Chile Recalls the African community and his networks in 1989. Not many black people in Auckland. He talks about Phil Amos playing a pivotal role in connecting Chile to a network that later supported the integration of African refugees in the 1990s. Chile explains how the 1994 arrival of Somali and Ethiopian refugees marked a shift and how they provided cultural support. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH_1543_001. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Dr Love Chile, 2025. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1966-010.

Chile talks about starting the Africa Focus magazine in 2000. Explains the purpose of the magazine and its key focuses. And he summarises the significance of the African Association of Auckland and its participation in the consultation in the resettlement strategy, the ethnic soccer strategy, and forming the Office of Ethnic Affairs. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections OH_1543_001. Photograph by Bahati, Synthia. Dr Love Chile, 2025. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1966-011.