In 2014 a project commenced with the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to digitise Ans’ vast negative archive. Free access to her images was extremely important to Ans and her intention to leave a legacy to Aotearoa New Zealand. Her extensive digital archive is accessible to all, via the National Library's website together with catalogue information about locations, dates and people portrayed in the images where known.
The digital archive is an ongoing organic project, with new image information continually recorded and updated. The National Library of New Zealand regularly hosts public engagement events with Pasifika and other communities, in order to identify people and enhance the catalogue records.
We welcome artist Suzanne Tamaki, Māori Arts and Events Facilitator at Wellington City Council, to lead Nō hea koe? Ko wai koe?, a community campaign around Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington to identify and connect with more people featured in Ans’ photos.
The idea came from my friend Chrissy O at Hunters and Collectors who bought a gorgeous photo but didn’t know who the people were. I shared it on Facebook and got responses straight away, eventually his whanau got tagged in. The korero with the posts were hilarious, and insightful. So I thought, I’m going to be a detective and use social media to find whanau for other amazing images. All the gen x and boomers have got Facebook, and their kids and mokopuna. Someone’s gonna get tagged!
Suzanne Tamaki
On 21 November, Ans’ daughter Lisa van Hulst will introduce a korero about the Nō hea koe? Ko wai koe? project with National Library of New Zealand Photography Curator, Doctor Louise Garret, Research Librarian, Pacific, Suliana Vea, and Suzanne Tamaki. On 19 December {Suite} will host a community morning tea to celebrate and conclude the project.
To RSVP to attend the korero and/or morning tea click here.