He korero o te Wa
Jacqueline (Jacquie) Baxter (J.C. Sturm)
He maimai aroha : a lament for Jacquie Baxter
We were saddened to hear of the recent death of our colleague, and rangatira.
Jacqui Baxter, also known as J. C. Sturm, passed away on December 30, 2009. She was well known as a writer and academic but we at Wellington City Libraries also remember her for her role as the New Zealand collection librarian for over 20 years. On the Ground Floor of the Central Library there is a display together with a book for anyone to record their memories and tribute.
Jacqueline Cecilia Sturm was born in 1927 to Mary and Jack Papuni. After the death of her mother she was raised by her maternal grandmother and then Bert and Ethel Sturm. A very able student, she was sent to Dunedin to pursue a medical career. However, she soon changed courses to an arts degree at the University of Otago. While at university, she attended a poetry reading where she met the young poet James K Baxter. Sturm and Baxter married in 1948 and moved to Christchurch.
Jacqui was one of the first Māori women to earn a university degree when she completed her BA in 1949. Following this she completed an MA in Philosophy at Victoria University. After moving to Wellington she began to pursue a literary career with her first published story appearing in the journal Numbers in 1954 with another story, “For All The Saints”, published in the prestigious journal Te Ao Hou in 1955.
Despite this promising start, Sturm’s writing career was regrettably hampered by the demands of family life, especially following the breakdown of her marriage. A collection of stories was completed in 1966 but a publisher could not be found. In the years following she was kept busy caring for her family and of course working at Wellington City Libraries from 1969.
In 1982 a library customer, a young writer and editor called Witi Ihimaera, selected her stories for publication in the important and groundbreaking anthology of Māori writing Into the World of Light. This lead to the 1983 publication of her first complete collection, The House of the Talking Cat. This book was shortlisted for the New Zealand Book Awards.
In the 1990’s Sturm turned her attention to poetry and in 1996 new publishing house Steele Roberts chose her first book of poetry Dedications as their debut publishing effort. In 1997 she received the Honour Award for Poetry at the Montana Book Awards. In 2003 she was made an honorary Doctor of Literature by Victoria University and The House of the Talking Cat was republished.
While her literary and academic achievements are impressive she is also remembered fondly by Wellington City Libraries as a wonderful librarian and colleague. We remember her quiet advocacy for Māori customers, her comprehensive knowledge of New Zealand literature and her passion for excellence in librarianship.
Source:
HOLMAN, Jeffrey Paparoa. "Pioneering Maori writer." Press, The 02 Jan. 2010: C12
Read more information :
Oxford companion to New Zealand literature article
Pioneering Maori writer, by Jeffrey Paparoa Holman (Use your library card to log in)
Kapiti Independent News article
Auckland University - New Zealand Literature file - J C Sturm
New Zealand national character as exemplified by three New Zealand novelists : thesis presented in partial requirement for the degree of M.A., University of New Zealand, by Jacqueline Cecilia Baxter. (1952)
Waitangi Day 2010
As usual Wellington City Libraries will have a stand at the celebration at Waitangi Park in Wellington. The library has many Treaty related resources, or just come to enjoy the story-telling. You can also enter the draw to win a book by completing our simple quiz - entries close Friday 12 February.
More information and links on Treaty information
New DVDs
Let my whakapapa speak. Writer and director, Tainui Stephens ; producer, Christina Milligan. (2009)
This documentary, by renowned director Tainui Stephens, examines the struggles that led to the growth of the kohanga reo movement - and the woman at the forefront of change. An inspiration to many, a thorn in the side to some, Iritana Tawhiwhirangi is a woman whose reputation precedes her as someone unafraid and compelled to speak her mind. She is one of a generation of leaders who emerged in the post-war era, and her influence has ranged across government, broadcasting and tribal issues, and of course, education.
Ohinga - the complete series Originally screened on Maori television, 2006 with presenters: Moko Templeton and Eru Tuari.
Childrens series made for Maori Television, aimed at pre-schoolers.
Content is based on the National Early Childhood Learning programme "Te Whariki" and features repetitive, interactive dialogue with its two presenters. A stimulating and fun learning programme for the under 5s and is in te reo Maori.
Michael King : a moment in time. New Zealand Film Commission. (2008)
New Zealand writer and historian Michael King speaks candidly about his work in this interview conducted in Dunedin in 1991. He talks of his early books - Te Peua, Whina, The moriori - that brought him into close contact with Maori and other groups, and of the inevitable controversy created by a Pakeha writer documenting Maori subjects and dealing with issues of particular importance to Maori."-- Case slick.
Nga Tupuna o Te Whanganui-a-Tara Volume 4 is available!
Wellington City Libraries proudly introduce our new publication, in conjunction with the Wellington Tenths Trust.
The book profiles another 29 Tupuna from iwi who migrated to Te Whanganui-a-Tara in a series of heke during the 1820s and 1830s. These iwi were mainly Te Ati Awa, Ngati Tama and Ngati Ruanui. We seek to fill a gap in the local Maori history resources (in English), by providing a series of starting points for research by Tangata Whenua, historians and students.
 | Copies of volume 4 (or any volume, including the full set) are now available for purchase from the Central Library Second floor. Alternatively, complete the pdf order form and attach a cheque (payable to Wellington City Council) with this form and send it to: Ann Reweti, Wellington City Libraries, PO Box 1992, Wellington 6140. |
If you have any queries please telephone Ann on 04-801 4112 or email ann.reweti@wcc.govt.nz
Prices :
Set: Nga Tupuna o te Whanganui-a-Tara Volumes 1–4 $50
Individual volumes :
Volume 4 : $20
Volume 3: $15
Volume 2: $10
Volume 1: $10
Nga Tupuna o Te Whanganui-a-Tara Volume 4 launched!
On Friday 7th September, the launch was held at the Central Library, with the Wellington Tenths Trust.
Matthew Reweti shares some tupuna narratives during the book launch
Rua Rautau lecture 2006
This 2006 lecture was delivered by Sir Howard Morrison, and entitled Tu Tangata - Whaia Koe Te Matauranga Hai Whitiki Te Iwi, Kia Toa Ai - Seek ye from the Fountain of Knowledge So the People may Thrive and ProsperThis Waitangi Rua Rautau Lecture Series link provides access to both the written text of the lectures and broadcasts.
[The 2005 lecture was delivered by Professor Whatarangi Winiata, Ngāti Raukawa, and entitled The Reconciliation of Kāwanatanga and Tino Rangatiratanga]
New or highlighted web-sites
Archway (Archives New Zealand).Although the actual records aren't online, this is an invaluable search tool to locating heritage information. Archway contains descriptions of over 1.5 million records that have been transferred from government agencies to Archives four offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington. There is also a wealth of information in Archway about the government of New Zealand from 1840 to the current day. There are resource guides on researching Māori information.
Fletcher's Index of Māori names.
This index is from an unpublished manuscript compiled about 1925 by the missionary Rev. Henry James Fletcher (1868-1933). In its original form it was 987 pages long, a vast index of Māori names referred to in books and journals, including the names of boundaries, Māori individuals, canoes, trees, landmarks and geographical locations. It was Fletcher's greatest piece of work, and one that merited improved access.
www.treatyofwaitangi.govt.nz.
This website sets out to give a concise account of the Treaty of Waitangi itself and the issues surrounding it. The material was prepared with the assistance of historians and other specialists, and with the help of key Government departments. (The Treaty of Waitangi Information Programme, State Services Commission).
Nga Pukapuka Hou
Enrol in Wellington City Libraries' MyLibrary to view the regular list of Recent arrivals to the library. Latest selection of new books by the Māori customer specialist.
You may have over-looked...
 | Ask the posts of the house, by Witi Ihimaera. (2007) Ihimaera needs no introduction as a classic NZ author. His first book, Pounamu, Pounamu (short stories) was published in 1972 and won the Freda Buckland Prize for Best First Book by a New Writer, and third prize in the Wattie Book of the Year Award. Since that time he was added numerous other awards to his CV, including the only author to have won the Wattie (now called the Montana) Book of the Year Award more than twice. He is also a playwright Whale Rider, the movie based on Witi's novel The Whale Rider (now in over 20 editions worldwide), won the prestigious People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival. |
Please contact the Māori customer Specialist if you have any news you would like us to consider posting.
Korero o te Wa I Raraunga I Rauemi I Te Whanganui a Tara I Whakapapa