NZ History – Gauge

Through the Lens: The New Zealand Wars

October 3, 2022October 4, 2022 Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision 0 Comments 1920s, 1980s, Annabel Cooper, film, silent film, The Te Kooti Trail, Utu, Utu Redux

Occurring over multiple decades of the 19th Century, the New Zealand Wars played an integral role in shaping post-colonial New Zealand. Given their historical significance and enduring impact, some argue that the wars haven’t received their due attention since. With this in mind, it feels worthwhile to examine some of the portrayals of the wars that do exist in the cultural limelight – and consider how these might play a role in shaping our understanding of this period in New Zealand history.

Documentary Film NZ History

Early footage of the timeless natural scenery of Aotearoa

July 19, 2022July 19, 2022 Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision 0 Comments 1910s, buller, film, hand-colouring, hand-painted, pathe freres, pathecolor, silent film, w. franklyn barrett, West Coast

In 1909, Mr. W. Franklyn Barrett of the renowned French film-making firm Pathé Frères was entrusted to travel through New Zealand and capture scenic sights that the world would otherwise not know existed. Barrett did exactly that, and the fruits of his labour were later featured in two short films from Pathé Frères – Across the Mountain Passes of New Zealand, and Coasts of New Zealand.

NZ History Sound

Life on board a 2NZEF troop ship: cramped, concerts and “Crossing the Line”

July 6, 2022July 19, 2022 Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision 0 Comments 1940s, Mobile Unit, New Zealand Broadcasting Service, NZ history, Sarah Johnston, sound, WWII

Some of the first recordings sent back to New Zealand for radio broadcasts in late 1940 give some insight into life on board the troop ship on which the Broadcasting Unit was travelling, as part of the Third Echelon of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Film NZ History Uncategorized

A Kiwi connection is hatched

June 14, 2022June 13, 2022 Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision 0 Comments 1940s, film, norm hatch collection, Wellington, WWII

In April 2011, Kiwi film maker, Steve La Hood travelled from Wellington, New Zealand to Quantico Virginia to receive the William Genaust award for an exhibition his company, Story Inc., produced about the US Marines stationed in New Zealand during World War II.

Film NZ History

The Norm Hatch Collection

June 14, 2022June 13, 2022 Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision 0 Comments film, norm hatch collection, Wellington, WWII

The Collection of 30 films and over 673 black and white photographs includes: U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit to New Zealand in 1943 and shows her touring Whakarewarewa with Guide Rangi Dennan.

Film NZ History Uncategorized

About Norm Hatch

June 14, 2022June 13, 2022 Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision 0 Comments film, norm hatch collection, Wellington, WWII

The late Norman J. Hatch was a World War II combat cameraman who witnessed and filmed some of the most bitter fighting in the Pacific War.

His efforts ended with, an Academy Award for footage so brutal that it took special permission from President Franklin Roosevelt to allow his documentary on the Battle of Tarawa to be shown to the American public in 1944.

Behind the scenes Film NZ History

Introducing the Norm Hatch Collection

June 13, 2022June 15, 2022 Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision 0 Comments 1940s, film, film preservation, norm hatch collection, Wellington, WWII

Between June 1942 and November 1943, around 21,000 US Marines arrived in the Wellington region to prepare for or recover from combat in the Pacific. They were among about 50,000 American servicemen who would be posted in New Zealand during World War 2, an event that would have a lasting impact on local culture.