Haneta with the Meri Mygind Award

Haneta with the Meri Mygind Award

In the interests of letting you get to know the people who are helping to organise your LIANZA conference we’re asking important questions of some of the key players. This week we get up close and personal with Christchurch City Libraries’ head of Māori Services, Haneta Pierce…

Ko Ngāti Mūtunga kei Wharekauri toku Iwi
Ko Tokomaru te waka
Ko Taranaki te maunga tapu
Ko Urenui te awa
Ko Urenui te marae
Ko Haneta Pierce ahau
Kaiwhakahaere Rātonga Māori ki Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi
Tēnā koutou katoa

Kia ora whaea Haneta, you’ve been involved with libraries for a while now, particularly focusing on library services to Māori. Can you tell us a bit about your library career?

I began my library career at the Christchurch Polytechnic Library in 1989. In 1995 I was persuaded to apply for the position of Māori Resources Librarian, based in the New Zealand Collection of the then Canterbury Public Library. The position was approved and created by Christchurch City Council to commemorate the“Year of Māori Language” in an effort to increase its own bicultural commitment. (more…)