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Team Leader, Client Services – Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington

Closing date for applications : Sunday 7th June 2026. More information on our job vacancies page

Te Rōpū Whakahau at PLNZ Forum 2026

A number of our Ngā Kaiwhakahau komiti were in Ōtautahi last week for the Public Libraries of New Zealand Annual Forum for library managers. Jacqueline Snee and Maia Whiterod’s presentation at the forum reflected on the journey of Te Rōpū Whakahau from its establishment, role today and future aspirations. Te Paea Paringatai, President-Elect, IFLA, presented… Read more »

PLNZ National Forum Kura Huna 2026

PLNZ (Public Libraries of New Zealand)’s annual forum kicks off tomorrow evening in Ōtautahi at Tūranga, followed by two days of presentations, workshops and networking. Te Rōpū Whakahau will be there with Jacqueline Snee, Tumuaki, and Maia Whiterod, Tumuaki Teina, giving a presentation on the journey of Te Rōpū Whakahau and our aspirations for the… Read more »

Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui: The Window to the Wider World.

The bird who feeds on miro has the forest.The bird who feeds on knowledge has the world. Maia Whiterod attended the opening of Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui in her role as Tumuaki Tēina for Te Rōpū Whakahau and shares her experience with us of this special day. I was lucky to attend the… Read more »

Kua hua te marama – reflections from Hui-a-tau 2025

Tēnei te mihi nui ki a koutou. We finish the year will our hearts full from our hui in November in Opononi. Our time together at Te Whakarongotai Marae was a fantastic opportunity for 50 of our members to wānanga together. Ngā mihi nui to the organisers – Anahera, Francis, Manuhiri and Brad, it was… Read more »

Robyn Hakopa Trophy & Meri Mygind Award winners for 2025

One of the best moments at Hui-a-tau is the presentation of the Robyn Hakopa Trophy & Meri Mygind – Wahina Toa Award. We are thrilled to present this year’s winners – Rayleen Hirini and Francis Leaf who have been acknowledged for their awesome mahi. Papaki kau ana ngā tai o mihi, o whakamānawa e pari… Read more »

Tumuaki of Te Rōpū Whakahau IFLA appointment

Congratulations to Jacqueline Snee, our Tumuaki, who has been appointed as a member of IFLA’s Advisory Committee on Ethics for the 2025-2027 term.  As a member of this committee, Jacqueline will bring Te Rōpū Whakahau’s voice and a Māori worldview to the role in delivering on IFLA’s mission to inspire, engage, enable and connect the global library field. IFLA’s Advisory Committees provide key insights to the… Read more »

Update: Hui-ā-Tau 2025

Travelling by car.  It has been brought to our attention that Waka Kotahi/ NZTA has scheduled a road closure of the Brynderwyn Hills during 13-16 Whiringa-ā-rangi.  This will affect those travelling by car to Auckland on Friday 14.  More information and alternative routes click on link above.

International Whakawhanaungatanga

Tūhoe moumou kai, Tūhoe wasteful of food Moumou taonga, Wasteful of treasures Moumou tangata ki te pō Wasteful of people to the night This is famous whakatauki about my people and speaks to our generosity and our willingness to fight. I start with this as it speaks to the importance of pono and manaaki when… Read more »

Hui ā-tau, Omapere 2025

Nau mai, haere mai ki Kokohuia Marae, Ōmāpere 10-14 Noema (November) 2025 Registrations are now closed for our 2025 hui-a-tau in the beautiful Hokianga. Details for those who have registered are on the Hui-ā-Tau webpage.

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Latest

  • New partnership agreement signed between Te Rōpū Whakahau and LIANZA

    Timing worked out perfectly for Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa LIANZA and our Ngā Kaiwhakahau to be in Wellington on the 5th of July to set our strategic directions. This was a great opportunity to reaffirm and informally formalise our relationship and partnership over the next 3 years, although LIANZA’s Immediate Past President, Richy Misilei said… Read more »

  • Titiro mai e hoa mā – IFLA IIFS Earlybird Extension for Australia & NZ Colleagues

    Exciting news!  The IFLA Information Futures Summit (IIFS) has extended the early bird rate until 15 July, for colleagues from Australia and New Zealand only. This gives you more time to register at the lowest rate for this incredible event. Don’t miss out!  The Summit is taking place in Brisbane, Australia from 30 September to… Read more »

  • Hui tahi, kai tahi – Te Tai Hauauru Styles

    “You too can come together” Don’t forget that Te Rōpū Whakahau sets aside putea every year forthe different rohe to come together to share, discuss, eat and have fun. Its really not that hard tomake it happen and its great way to introduce new Māori staff to Te Rōpū Whakahau, but also anopportunity to let… Read more »

  • BLOG: Whiria te taura here tāngata

    Cellia Joe-Olsen, Te Rōpū Whakahau Tumuaki, writes about the whakapapa of the Whiria te Tāngata programme and the driving force behind it. Te Reo Māori speakers love a good metaphor. You don’t need much beside a vivid imagination and some added flair to come up with a good one. An awesome translation for Whiria te taura here… Read more »

  • GUEST BLOG: The best “Volun-told” experience EVER! 

    Monika, Manager of Tupu Youth Library in Auckland, discusses her career progression and professional development while on the Whiria te Tāngata programme. “Volun-told” – a word I use in jest, but in all seriousness, it lovingly expresses the best opportunity I was ever chosen to be a part of… Whiria te Tāngata!  As a new manager at… Read more »

  • GUEST BLOG: Wellington to Waiheke and back

    Carla, a Māori Community Outreach Coordinator at Palmerston North City Library, reflects on her journey while on the Whiria te Tāngata programme. Kei tēnā, kei tēnā, kei tēnā ano. Tōnā ake ahua, Tōnā ake mauri, Tōnā ake mana – Each and every one has their own uniqueness, life essence and presence This was certainly the case when… Read more »

  • Celebrating Chris Szekely’s Contribution to Libraries

    Sunset on careersLeisure in each golden dayRetirement whispers Chris is a founding and honorary life member of Te Rōpū Whakahau. Through this mahi Chris showed his commitment to the kaupapa of librarianship / kaitiakitanga within our culture, heritage, library and information sector. Chris was also instrumental in the genesis of the International Indigenous Librarians Forum… Read more »

  • GUEST BLOG: Whai mātauranga

    Stasia, a Library Assistant at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, on her applied learnings and challenges while on the Whiria te Tāngata programme. Whiria te Tāngata has been a bit of a dream come true for me. I’ve always loved libraries, growing up helping my mum in her various public and school library roles; but my… Read more »

  • GUEST BLOG: From Whakapapa to Living Libraries- A Library Engagement Advisor’s Journey in Indigenisng Knowledge

    Nā Keshia Cleverly Karaitiana, Kaitūhono – Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, Te Whare Pukapuka, University of Waikato Library. Ngāti Māhanga, Ngāti Te Wehi, Ngāi Tuahūriri, Ngāti Wheke, Ngāti Waewae Would you believe it if I said I always knew I’d end up working in libraries? Yep, it all goes back to those days when I… Read more »

  • Ahakoa he iti he pounamu: 2023 Hui ā-tau!

    Ahakoa he iti he pounamu: 2023 Hui ā-tau!Although it is small, it is pounamu – was certainly a fitting theme for this year’s hui-a-tau in the heart of te Tai Poutini, the home of pounamu. This precious stone was weaved throughout our Hui ā-tau at Arahura Marae and by the end of our time there… Read more »