Letter to the Editor - Tuesday February 12, 2013

Te Ahu rocks

I am a professor of educational studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and was recently in Kaitaia looking for material concerning Selwyn Muru, Te Hapua artist and man-about-Northland.

Approaching Kaitaia , I asked a taxi driver for directions. "Is there a library here?"

"In that street over there. Turn right. You won't miss it," he said. Won't miss it! Yeah ... right!

Having read the mostly negative Lonely Planet description of Kaitaia, I was astonished when I pulled into a parking spot outside Te Ahu. It is definitely hard to miss!

I was even more impressed when I saw the atrium with its carved poles and comprehensive (well-organised) book collection in the library. In the Maori art section, I found materials not available in other libraries.

Once they understood my mission, along with expediting photocopies, Te Ahu librarians pointed at the museum and door to the archives. "You will want to go to the archives," they said.

Once again, I was astonished by what I found. The archives are nicely organised, and I left Kaitaia with Northland-oriented material not available in large metropolitan libraries.

Although the physical premises are impressive, it is people that distinguished mediocre from extraordinary public facilities.

Te Ahu library and archives staff quickly identified with my project and produced what I needed. In particular, because of their professionalism and helpfulness, in the archives Lynda and Don Hammond found unexpected gems, and, as a result, my Muru project has now gone in new directions.

After 40 years living abroad, it is thrilling to find Kaitaia has a facility like Te Ahu. Hearty thanks to those who work there and congratulations to visionaries who put it together.

As well as being a magnet for tourists and foreign scholars like myself, it is clear locals are making very good use of books, magazines and internet facilities.

Because this is a unique and amazing facility, has anyone considered writing about (or otherwise chronicling) processes needed to build this place? All over the world, towns and small cities with modest funds will want to learn from your experience. In other words - how did you do it?

In the meantime, if any of your readers can explain why a little place like Te Hapua has produced so many outstanding New Zealanders, let me know. And, if you ever accompanied Selwyn Muru on fishing or painting trips, hunts for demolition kauri (or sat in class with him at Northland College), please contact me [Roger.Boshier@ubc.ca] In the meantime, well done Kaitaia. Te Ahu rocks!

ROGER BOSHIER

Professor, University of British Columbia Vancouver