So Many Stories
Conversations with Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi
Join Christchurch City Libraries on the first Friday of each month at 9am on Plains FM and discover what our libraries are all about – connecting people, inspiring discovery, and enriching communities. Each show features stories from people who work in libraries, and the members of our community we engage with every day.
- Listen to So Many Stories on Plains FM first Friday of the month at 9am. The show plays again the next Sunday at 3.30pm.
- The next show is on Friday 5 January 2024.
2024 shows:
5 January, 2 February, 1 March, 5 April, 3 May, 7 June, 5 July, 2 August, 6 September, 4 October, 1 November, 6 December
Episode 23 - December 2023
This episode was broadcast on Friday 1 December 9am, and will air again on Sunday 3 December 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on Plains FM.
Here is what you will hear in this Looking Back, Looking Forward episode:
It’s the 50th anniversary of the Commonweath Games in Christchurch next year and we have Learning Specialist Linda Dawson speaking with Mene Mene, who was a decathlete in the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
5MB, 5 minutes
Kaitakawaenga Maatakiwi Wakefield, Pasifika Community Liaison Nora Taylor, Poukohikohinga Maori Collection Specialists Ngapiu Tainui-Maclure and Julia Keogh-Cope and Kaitakawaenga Justice Arahanga-Pryor look back at 2023 kaupapa and forward into 2024.
6MB, 8 minutes 18 seconds
Learning Specialist Amy Chiles talks with colleague Liam about an exciting exhibition which has turned young people’s art into something 3 dimensional using creative technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting.
4MB, 3 minutes 23 seconds
Community Outreach Librarian Wendy Blair invites you along to some of our events and programmes this month.
3MB, 2 minutes 52 seconds
Community Librarian Jamie Stevenson and Digital Library Web Team Leader Donna Robertson talk about their “bests” of the year and the most popular reads from 2023!
3MB, 3 minutes 55 seconds
Photos: Mene Mene at left, Donna at right
Episode 23
Best of 2023
Most Popular 2023
Best of 2023 for Kids and Teens
Best Aotearoa Book Cover of 2023 - Dream girl by Joy Holley
Best book covers of 2023 - My pick of Aotearoa’s finest
Summertime Reading
What's on: December 2023, January and February 2024
Auahatanga - Creative Spaces
Xth British Commonwealth Games 1974
Episode 22 - November 2023
This episode was broadcast on Friday 3 November 9am, and will air again on Sunday 5 November 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on Plains FM.
Here is what you will hear in this episode:
Library assistant Jamie Stevenson chats with writer and NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison Judy L Mohr and author Gillian St. Kevern about the joys of writing together, the NaNoWriMo challenge, and how to get involved.
4MB, 5 minutes 8 seconds
Kaitakawaenga Maatakiwi Wakefield is with Library Assistant Rema Gopalakrishnan and Alka Srinivasan talking about Diwali celebrations this November.
Maatakiwi also remembers Parihaka with Pou Kohikohinga Māori Specialist Julia Keogh-Cope and Readers Advisory Librarian Mike Moroney.
Pasifika Librarian Mel Veu tells us about some beautiful new books in our Pasifika collection.
12MB, 14 minutes 30 seconds
So Many Stories host Sionainn Byrnes tells us about Top of the Pods, a podcasting competition for Christchurch school students.
3MB, 3 minutes 11 seconds
Episode 22
Celebrate Diwali 2023
Get inspired - Written in NaNoWriMo
Come Write In for NaNoWriMo!
Top of the Pods podcasting competition for Years 5 to 10
Episode 21 - October 2023
This episode will be broadcast on Friday 6 October 9am, and will air again on Sunday 8 October 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on Plains FM.
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Here is what you will hear in this episode:
Digital Curation Librarian Sarah Snelling discusses the Christchurch Photo Hunt 2023
2MB, 1 minute 44 seconds
Library Assistant Jamie Stevenson, Team Leader Rosemary Nicholls, and Library Assistant Christine Wehrmeier celebrate Tūranga Central Library’s 5th birthday (Tūranga turns 5 on 12 October 2023)
5MB, 5 minutes 10 seconds
Long version 16MB, 19 minutes 47 seconds
Social Scientist and Women in Polar Science Senior Project Coordinator Andrea Herbert promotes the Awesome Antarctica Polar Women exhibition
2MB, 3 minutes 8 seconds
Kaitakawaenga Maatakiwi Wakefield and the Māori and Multicultural Services team commemorate Te Pūtake o te Riri | The New Zealand Wars. Pasifika Community Liaison Nora Taylor talks about the upcoming Pasifika Language Weeks.
7MB, 7 minutes 55 seconds
We share a Seven Sharp segment on the Christchurch City Libraries Everyday Heroes Storytimes programme
3MB, 3 minutes 53 seconds
Episode 21
Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week
Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti - Fijian Language Week
Awesome Antarctica Days of Ice: Mon 2 October-Sun 8 October
Christchurch Photo Hunt 2023
Vaiaso o te Gana Tuvalu - Tuvalu Language Week
Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara 28 October
Faahi tapu he vagahau Niue - Niue Language Week
Episode 20 - September 2023
This episode will be broadcast on Friday 1 September 9am, and will air again on Sunday 3 September 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on Plains FM.
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Here is what you will hear in our "Feeling Fresh for Spring" episode:
Kaitakawaenga Maatakiwi Wakefield and Justice-Manawanui Arahanga-Pryor chat Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week)
Interview with Maatakiwi and Justice, 9MB, 9 minutes 25 seconds
Pasifika Community Liaison Nora Taylor introduces Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga (Tongan Language Week)
Interview with Nora, 1MB, 1 minute 21 seconds
Multicultural Liaison Coordinator Amber Li and Library Assistant Pangwei look forward to New Zealand Chinese Language Week
Interview with Amber and Pangwei 3.5MB, 3 minutes 45 seconds
Phrases, 754KB, 48 seconds
Community Librarian Wendy Blair sits down with Ako Aotearoa Sector Services Manager Jennifer Leahy to discuss The Festival of Adult Learning | Ahurei Ākonga
Interview with Wendy and Jennifer, 3MB, 3 minutes 18 seconds
Library Assistant Jamie Stevenson and Trees for Canterbury Manager Steve Bush mark the return of The Great Library Seed and Plant Swap
Interview with Jamie and Steve, 4MB, 4 minutes 54 seconds
Step Ahead Trust Project Connect Manager Bryan Gilchrist talks about his members’ experiences at Christchurch City Libraries ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week
Interview with Bryan, 4MB, 3 minutes 35 seconds
Poppia talks about sustainability events happening in September.
Interview with Poppia, 2MB, 2 minutes 45 seconds
Episode 20
Sustainable living
New Zealand Chinese Language Week
Celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
Mental Health
Tonga Language Week
Tonga Language Week craft: Kiekie
Tongan general resources
Sustainable September
Craft a Green Gift at Shirley Library
Sustainable Wrapping
Handmade holidays: Gift bag craft
Episode 19 - August 2023
This episode was broadcast on Friday 4 August 9am, and will air again on Sunday 6 August 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on Plains FM.
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Here is what you will hear:
WORD Christchurch Programme Lead Kiran Dass chats about the WORD Christchurch Festival 2023, which runs from Wednesday 23 August to Sunday 27 August.
Interview with Kiran Dass, 6MB, 7 minutes 8 seconds
Christchurch City Libraries Reading Advisor Mike Moroney (aka the Unlikely Librarian) and Youth Librarians Bridie Anderson and Alice McLay talk WORD collaborations, including AI Versus Librarians, the Book Witch, and more.
Interview with Mike, 2MB, 2 minutes 27 seconds
Interview with Bridie and Alice, 5MB, 5 minutes 23 seconds
Community Librarian Alicia Harbison-Price sits down with Sarah Lund of Ōtautahi Zinefest, which takes place at the Christchurch Art Gallery | Te Puna o Waiwhetū on Sunday 27 August. More about zines and Ōtautahi Zinefest.
Interview with Alicia and Sarah, 5MB, 5 minutes 20 seconds
The New Zealand International Film Festival is back this August, and Community Librarian Wendy Blair has all the details plus more on Kanopy and Beamafilm for Christchurch City Libraries members.
Interview with Wendy, 2MB, 2 minutes 11 seconds
Pou Kohikohinga Māori Ngapiu Tainui-Maclure and Julia Keogh-Cope round out the episode with information about the new afterschool programme Huinga Ako and the monthly reading club Te Kāhui Ohua.
Interview with Ngapiu and Julia, 1MB, 1 minute 22 seconds
Episode 19
Interview: Alicia and Sarah on Ōtautahi Zinefest
Interview: Mike on WORD Christchurch 2023 events at Tūranga
Interview: Bridie & Alice on Tūranga WORD Chch 2023 events
Interview: Kiran Dass Programme Lead on WORD Chch 2023
WORD Christchurch Festival 2023
No risk, no reward: Top ten picks of WORD Christchurch 2023
Zines
Te Kāhui Ohua, part of a series
Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival
Episode 18 - July 2023
This episode was broadcast on Friday 7 July 9am, and will air again on Sunday 9 July 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on Plains FM.
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 18:
- Community librarian Megan Cornish and customer Georgia talks about Sensory craft for pēpi at Shirley Library.
- Libraries Learning Specialist Liam Krijgsman talks about whānau creative sessions at South Library and more.
- Maatakiwi talks to weaver Mrs Rāinui Ngārimu (Ngāi Tahu/Ngāti Mutungā) about Te Puna o Waiwhetū Christchurch Art Gallery's upcoming exhibition of Te Rā: The Māori Sail.
- Lady Rose Gould-Lardelli and Sir Derek Lardelli talk about the Te Rā i Whiti Exhibition on at Tūranga until Sunday 9 July.
- Simone Entwistle, Electronic Resources Librarian talks about the new craft eResource Creativebug.
Full interview with Rānui Ngarimu [9 minutes 20 seconds]
Interview with Chloe Cull [9 minutes 1 second]
Episode 18
Join us for school holiday fun and learning
Auahatanga - Creative Spaces
Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week
Creativebug
Cook Islands Language Week
Episode 17 - June 2023
This episode will be broadcast on Friday 2 June 9am, and aired again on Sunday 4 June 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 17 - it's a Matariki episode:
Maatakiwi Wakefield, Julia Keogh-Cope, Ngapiu Tainui-Maclure, Justice-Manawanui Arahanga-Pryor, and Nora Taylor of the Christchurch City Libraries Māori and Multicultural Services team talk all things Matariki. Also featuring Multicultural Liaison Coordinator Amber Li and Library Liaison – Youth Lara Moses.
Matariki
Matariki: Māori New Year
Matariki lighting at Avebury House: Picturing Canterbury
Discover Canterbury: Matariki and Tīrama Mai
Episode 16 - May 2023
This episode was broadcast on Friday 5 May 9am, and aired again on Sunday 7 May 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
Read the transcript of this month's show [81KB PDF]
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 16:
- Library Learning Specialist Hayley Young talks about her work supporting exhibitions and specifically the upcoming Kiri and Lou exhibition.
- Julie Fraser (Director) from Sign Equity tells us about the sign language courses she runs at libraries.
- Library Assistant Wendy Blair speaks with Brooke Agnew (Trust Manager) and Alice Moore (Community Worker) from Kāwai Rangatahi about their work in the community and with Linwood Library.
- Jai Bartlett – Artist name Bhai Jartlett, shares how he discovered the media studio and AV specialists who helped him learn how to mix, record sounds and turn his initial ideas into an album expressing identity and fusing cultures through music.
- Daniel Mataki Jnr, Youth Worker at Youth Cultural Development and DJ Danny-ill, shares his experience of accessing library resources and collaboration on running hip hop events and workshops in libraries, including the upcoming DJ Showcase and Workshop during Youth Week.
Youth Week events
Youth Week: 15 to 21 May
Teen Clothes Swap at South Library: Saturday 13 May 12noon to 3pm
Youth Week: VR Graffiti T-Shirt at New Brighton Library: Wednesday 17 May 3.30pm to 5pm
NZ Music Month events
DJ Showcase and Workshop at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre: Friday 19 May 4pm to 6pm
NZ Music Month @ Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Get creative and utilise our music equipment
Thursday Takeover at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre and Tūranga
Auahatanga - Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Creative Time
Open Studio - Youth focused at Tūranga
So Many Stories 16
NZ Music Month
Open Studio - YA (ages 13 to 17), part of a series
New Zealand Sign Language
Thursday takeover
Episode 15 - April 2023
This episode was broadcast on Friday 7 April 9am, and aired again on Sunday 9 April 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 15:
- Family History Librarian Katherine Moody talks Anzac themed events across the network, including Voices of Gallipoli and Find Your New Zealand Ancestor’s Military Record.
- Library Archivist Amy Ryan talks about the importance of preserving the personal accounts of people who have lived in Christchurch and Canterbury for the future. How personal records allow us to know more about a person’s life beyond a name or an image. Find out how you can also find and view our collection through ArchivesSpace, the Research Room and our website contact page. For example, see the diaries of Lucy Jane Augusta Hogg (pictured below - the 1903 diary contains an Australian shipboard menu).
- We feature a an excerpt from our full interview with Janneth Gil about the Raising Sakinah Exhibition, the stories of grief, resilience and hope the art work embodies, and the invitation for everyone to come and experience this opportunity for unity.
- Redwood Associate Team Leader Andrea Lord chats with Public Health Nurse Kirsten Lambie about the Everyday Heroes Storytimes pilot, a programme that is now to roll out across the network.
- Public Programmes Coordinator Bronwyn Shanks is back with events to watch out for this school holiday season.
Competition
Library Archivist Amy Ryan mentioned a Christmas Dinner Menu from 1914. Where was this dinner held? Email your answer and any feedback or ideas for the show to library@ccc.govt.nz. Be in to win a one-on-one session with us to design your own t-shirt at South Auahatanga - Creative Space!
So Many Stories 15
Join us for school holiday fun and learning
Anzac Day - Tuesday 25 April 2023
Searching for soldiers: Anzac events
Episode 14 - March 2023
This episode was broadcast on Friday 3 March 9am, and aired again on Sunday 5 March 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 14. This month’s episode is all about the diverse people of Ōtautahi | Christchurch and the Christchurch City Libraries network.
International Women's Day: Wednesday 8 March
We talk to Digital Curation Librarian Sarah Snelling ahead of International Women’s Day.
Trustee Sarah Mankelow chats about the Humans of Christchurch | Ōtautahi exhibition, and ‘human’ Sophie Estob Gradwell shares her story.
Christchurch Pride: Friday 10 March to Sunday 19 March
Lara Moses, Library Liaison – Youth and Youth Librarian Alice McLay share how Christchurch City Libraries will be celebrating diversity and providing a safe space for tamariki, rangatahi and LGBTQIA+ allies during Christchurch Pride and beyond. Everything from magnificent Queens telling stories, to book lists and information on local organisations you can access at your local library.
Ukrainian Association of New Zealand – South: Saturday 11 March
Michael Lidski shares a little about the local Ukrainian community and invites us to join this fundraising event at Tūranga on Saturday 11 March.
Nowruz: Sunday 12 March to Sunday 26 March
Hero Modares of the Kia Ora Academy introduces us to Nowruz or Persian New Year. Celebrate Nowruz with us on Saturday 25 March 2pm to 4pm at Tūranga. There is also an Iranian exhibition on from Sunday 12 March to Sunday 26 March.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Monday 13 March to Sunday 19 March
Dr Annick Janson spoke to us from her home in Raglan about her personal and professional experience of the challenges and beautiful opportunities that neurodiversity can bring for whānau. Yaniv Janson’s discovery of art, his exhibition and development of his fully booked Colour me happy workshop based on the PERMA theory of wellbeing. Finally Annick invites you to join her for the Positive Parenting workshop bring together her personal experience and professional knowledge on parenting with neurodiverse whānau.
Visit our page on Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
So Many Stories 14
Neurodiversity
Ukraine - One year on from invasion
International Women's Day 8 March
LGBTQIA+ reading guide
Christchurch Pride 10 March to 19 March 2023
Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi Exhibition (until 12 March)
LGBTQIA+ stories and resources at the library
New Year
Episode 13 - February 2023
This episode was broadcast on Friday 3 February 9am, and aired again on Sunday 5 February 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 13:
- Listen to a short segment about Waitangi Day by Maatakiwi.
- Ngapiu talks about Māori Services and the Pou Kohikohinga Māori role.
- We hear from Andrew who is part of the Otago Museum team bringing the interactive Tūhura Tuarangi - Aotearoa in Space exhibition to Tūranga.
- The start of February marks the end our Summertime Reading Challenge competition so Bronwyn explains what happens now and when our lucky winners will be contacted.
- Margot and her Fendalton Library colleague Ray have a long relationship with the annual Culture Galore event at Ray Blank Park. We hear about how library is involved on the day, children’s books collection in Italian, Danish and Portuguese alongside Korean and Chinese items held at Fendalton Library that are part of the library network World Languages collection.
- A highlight of summer has been our partnership with Orana Park bringing our library van into the zoo and presenting special Storytime sessions at various animal exhibits including the gorillas and Spider Monkeys! We hear from park representative Khloe Peck about working at a zoo and some of the important conversation work they are involved in.
- To mark the restart of Wā Pepi Babytimes and Wā Kōrero Storytimes around the network we hear from experienced Fendalton Library presenter Margot White about what these regular programmes include and why your whānau are welcome to join. If you would like to bring the whole whānau down to relax and enjoy stories and craft, Margot has her special Bedtime Stories in the evening on the first Friday of the month, with the 3rd of February being a special Lunar New Year session.
- Robyn tells why her whānau are big fans of their local Storytimes sessions at Hornby Library.
So Many Stories 13
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi
Waitangi Day in Christchurch & Canterbury - Mon 6 Feb 2023
Wā Pēpi: Babytimes
Wā Kōrero: Storytimes
World Languages Collection
Episode 12 - January 2023
This episode was broadcast on Friday 6 January 9am, and aired again on Sunday 8 January 3.30pm.
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 12:
- Children and Young Adults Service Specialist Ky McWilliam speaks to Jessica Urlichs, a poet and author from Aotearoa. They talk about Jess's picture book The Rainbow in My Heart, her writing process and how the book can be used to help children learn about their emotions.
- Electronic Resource Librarian Simone Entwisle tells us about how you can enjoy eBooks and eAudiobooks anywhere you are over the summer including the very popular and guiltiest of pleasures; the romance novel.
Jessica Urlichs' suggestions for the Summertime Reading Challenge - He Wero Pānui Pukapuka mō Raumati.
So Many Stories 12
Read a hot romance eBook this summer
Best eBooks for Adults 2022
Have yourself a merry little Christmas: eBooks
Historical fiction - eBooks and eAudiobooks
Romance - eBooks & eAudiobooks
Romance fiction reading guide
Episode 11 - December 2022
This episode was broadcast on Friday 2 December 9am, and aired again on Sunday 4 December at 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 11:
- Sarah Cameron (Public Programmes Coordinator) and Susan Osteen (Children’s Librarian) tell us how our Summertime Reading Challenge helps tamariki avoid the slump in reading and literacy levels over summer by encouraging reading for pleasure in a fun and rewarding way.
- We needed to hear from tamariki about what they are reading so we hear from library regular Zahra Toumi on her latest reads and Library Assistant Jon Truesdale chats with budding broadcasters Jimmy Cribb, Theo Garing, and Macklin Keatley.
- Co-chair of the local English teachers collective Waitaha English Laura Borrowdale attended at a recent zine making workshop held in Tūranga Central Library and for secondary school English teachers in Waitaha, Canterbury.
- Professional Learning and Development Advisor Alice Cameron gives a glimpse of how Christchurch City Libraries staff are supported in professional development to provide quality services and access to resources for all library users.
So Many Stories 11
Best Books of 2022 for Kids & Teens
Episode 10 - November 2022
This episode was broadcast on Friday 4 November 9am, and aired again on Sunday 6 November at 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 10:
Katie Brazil, Team Leader for Outreach and Learning provides an overview of how we provide services to a wide range of community groups and individuals as well as programming such as Shared Reading.
Library Assistant Toni Campion-Cusack talks to Marionette and Monique from Kilmarnock Enterprises about the Library van service and how the library supports their team.
Tokona te kaika, Homelink customer Joan Rendall shares her love of reading and how the Outreach library van and our new Tokona te kaika services allows her to continue to read despite limited mobility.
Teacher Nicki and two tamariki, Marley (4) and Nate (3) from Sydenham Community Preschool talk about their experience of our Pre-School Outreach Delivery Specialist Susan Dodd.
Jono from Housing First along with Dave and Michelle talk about the safe community gathering place The Commons has become each Wednesday where kai, music and art is shared. World Homeless Day Photovoice Exhibition.
Lis Rate-Smith from Drug Arm Art East tells us about the Recovery Garden exhibition coming to Tūranga on the 18th of November. The therapeutic potential of art and how libraries have provided opportunities to discover new mediums and technology that inspire further creativity.
Listen to Lis:
Ngapiu Tainui-Maclure (Pou Kohikohinga Māori) shares how she and her team provide iwi research guidance in groups and one to one.
Mataakiwi Wakefield (Kaitakawaenga) shares the significance of November 5th and Parihaka.
So Many Stories 10
How we can help you: Use the library from home
Episode 9 - October 2022
This episode was broadcast on Friday 7 October 9am, and aired again on Sunday 9 October at 3.30pm. Listen to So Many Stories on PlainsFM.
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Here's what you will hear in Episode 9. We focus on topics related to heritage and history and celebrate International Day of Older Persons (October 1):
- Lyn Gifford (Librarian – Family History) chats with Poppia Marriott (Library Assistant) about Christchurch Heritage Festival
- Sarah Tester (Community Stories Liaison) and Maeve Platts (Resource Description and Access Librarian) talk Photo Hunt and Canterbury Stories
- Toni Campion-Cusack (Library Assistant) describes her work with rest homes and care centres
- Darral Campbell (CEO Dementia Canterbury) reflects on an almost decade-long partnership between Christchurch City Libraries and Dementia Canterbury
- and we feature Louisa Vowles’ (Exhibitions Project Manager) address to guests at the opening of the In Search of Ngaio exhibition.
