New Zealand Information Sites

Matapihi www.matapihi.org.nz	Matapihi is 'a window' onto the online heritage collections of these New Zealand cultural organisations. Matapihi contains around 80,000 items. This number will increase as more partner organisations contribute. You can find records for photographs, drawings, paintings, sculpture, maps, textual items, and some 3-d virtual museum objects, as well as moving images and a small number of sound files. Items available through Matapihi are about New Zealand, made in New Zealand, created by New Zealanders, or held in New Zealand collections. Geography, history, the natural environment, people and events are featured.
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography www.dnzb.govt.nz	This website contains over 3,000 biographies of New Zealanders who have 'made their mark' on this country. It does not include people who are alive. So you will not find people like Helen Clark or Sean Fitzpatrick, but you will find people like George Nepia or Michael Joseph Savage. The site contains: The biographies of 3,049 people in 2,977 biographical essays The biographies of 492 maori people in 481 essays, translated into maori from the english-language biographies The 'our land, our people' section includes material adapted under licence from the New Zealand historical atlas (originally published in 1997). It presents snapshots of places, times, events and trends in New Zealand history, linked to the biographical content.
New Zealand History www.nzhistory.net.nz	The site features information and resources from within the history group of the ministry for culture and heritage, Wellington, New Zealand. Three broad categories showcase themes in New Zealand history: culture and society, politics and government and war and society. A 'hands on history' section includes links to guides, external websites and other material for those who are 'doing' and teaching history. New features will be developed and the calendar of New Zealand history events will be added to on a regular basis. Has monthly feature topics e.g. Anzac Day, Waitangi Day etc.
The Encyclopedia of New Zealand www.teara.govt.nz	Te ara - the encyclopedia of New Zealand offers many pathways to understanding New Zealand. When complete, it will be a comprehensive guide to the country's peoples, natural environment, history, culture, economy, institutions and society. Te ara consists of 9 themes, appearing progressively between 2005 and 2012: New Zealanders - the arrival and settlement of the people. Earth, sea and sky - marine life, people and the sea, natural resources, and shaping forces such as geology and climate. The bush - New Zealand's landforms, fauna and flora. The settled landscape - farming, rural life, and people's impact on the land. Trade and exchange - the economy, business and city life. Connections - social groups, families and communities. Nation - systems of government and symbols of national identity. Daily life - the customs, leisure activities and beliefs that make New Zealand unique. Creativity - arts, culture, invention and innovation. New Zealand in brief gives concise, up-to-date information and essential facts about New Zealand. In addition, between 2005 and 2008 there will be features on: Places - 22 major geographic regions: Northland, Auckland, Hauraki, Waikato, the King Country, the Volcanic Plateau, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatū and Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, the West Coast, Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Offshore Islands 50 iconic places such as Cape Rēinga and Milford Sound.
New Zealand Government Online www.govt.nz	Find out all that you need to know about everything that government has to offer. From drivers' licences to dog licences, tax issues to health issues, starting a family to starting a business. You can access a wide range of services like finding a job or applying for a passport. Or you can find information on immigration, education, and legislation. It's all here.
Statistics New Zealand www.stats.govt.nz	Contains up to date statistical information on New Zealand.
NZ Edge www.nzedge.com/heroes/index.html	Contains information on a variety of New Zealand heroes. Separated into the follow sections: Optimists Designers Speedsters (such as runners, drivers and shearers) Writers Adventurers Mathematicians Warriors Medicos Scientists Entrepreneurs Inventers Stars Linguists Builders
Nga Toa www.ngatoa.com	Nga toa meaning "many warriors" in the maori language is a project dedicated to preserving the oral histories of New Zealand's last remaining world war ii veterans. To date, over 150 interviews have been compiled in the Nga toa video archive by Patrick Bronte a young man who, paralyzed from the shoulders down, has been working hard to preserve the experiences of his nation's World War II veterans
Leaf Salon www.leafsalon.co.nz/index.php	A collaborative forum for New Zealand book news, reviews and literary events, Leafsalon has an abundance of current, quality information for those with a literary edge.
Spacific www.spacific.net	Run from the UK, Spacific is a multimedia collective dedicated to promoting creative culture, especially music, from Aotearoa. For the hottest and latest New Zealand music news and events www.spacific.net is the place to go.
Te Kete Ipurangi www.tki.org.nz	Te Kete Ipurangi - the online learning centre. TKI is a bilingual portal-plus web community which provides quality assured educational material for New Zealand teachers, school managers, and the wider education community. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education.
NZ Music www.nzmusic.com	From Anika Moa to Zed, from Split Enz to Straightjacket Fits, from Kiri Te Kanawa through to King Kapisi and Kog Transmission, www.nzmusic.com relays the diversity of the pacific sound.
National Library of New Zealand www.natlib.govt.nz	Comprehensive and accessible resource covering the history and present of New Zealand and the pacific. Te puna matauranga o Aotearoa: "the wellspring of knowledge"
Arts Council New Zealand www.creativenz.govt.nz	Creative New Zealand is a government organisation responsible for developing the arts in New Zealand. Our work is diverse, ranging from grassroots projects through to support for professional artists and arts organisations Contains architecture, theatre, dance, design, music, craft, writing, photography, visual arts.
Technological History New Zealand www.techhistory.co.nz	Technological innovation in New Zealand: from frozen meat and the electric fence to biotech and nanotech, tracing the no.8 wire gene into the 21st century. The history section of this site covers a technological era in New Zealand which lasted from the end of the first world war until the 1980s. The innovation & growth section draws attention to the literature that outlines the key role of technology in 19th and 20th century economic history. The innovation now section looks at contemporary innovation activity in New Zealand.
New Zealand Film Archive www.filmarchive.org.nz	The New Zealand film archive has three principal functionsto collect, protect and project New Zealand's moving image heritage. The collections of predominantly New Zealand film and video dates from 1895 to the present day. In the collections are feature films, documentaries, short films, home movies, newsreels, television programmes and film and television advertisements. A large documentation collection is also held, including publicity materials, stills, posters, production records and equipment.
Public Address www.publicaddress.net	Stand on your soapbox! www.Publicaddress.net is a community of New Zealand-centric daily news, views and weblogs. Blog titles include hard news, cracker, busytown and poll dancer. Use the site as a spectator or participate in the debate yourself. Can be useful for opposing viewpoints and developing opinions but use caution when recommending web blogs as an information source.
The Big Idea www.thebigidea.co.nz	The Big Idea is an online community for the New Zealand creative industry featuring arts news, jobs and other work and income opportunities. Art-forms featured include multi-media, digital culture, culinary and wearable arts as well as the more traditional visual arts, dance, theatre and writing.
Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz	This Department Of Conservation (DOC) site has information about the protection of New Zealand's natural and historic heritage, how and where you can enjoy public conservation places and how to get involved in conservation
New Zealand Herald www.nzherald.co.nz	New Zealand's leading news and current affairs site. Contains the following fields: News (national, international, politics and weather) Business Sport Technology Entertainment Lifestyle Travel Opinion Multimedia Property Motoring Jobs
Stuff www.stuff.co.nz	Similar to the New Zealand Herald website.
New Zealand Defence Force www.nzdf.mil.nz	Information on current military activities, locations and numbers, medals and decorations, personnel. Also contains media releases and images.
Sport and Recreation New Zealand www.sparc.org.nz	At SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) we're dedicated to getting New Zealanders moving. That means everything from supporting elite athletes to getting out into local communities and encouraging people to get active. Contains information for academics, athletes, coaches, councils, doctors, employers, job seekers, national sport organisations, parents, teachers, patients, researchers, sports clubs and students.
Waitangi Tribunal www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/treaty	Information on the history of the treaty and the current tribunal claims. Also contains information on the english and mäori versions of the treaty and the meaning behind the treaty.
New Zealand Tourism www.newzealand.com/travel/international	The official site for New Zealand travel and business. Contains information on New Zealand history, key facts, nature, culture and features, regions, maps, driving routes, national parks, sights, activities and events, accommodation, transport, food and wine, volcanoes, lord of the rings, haka and rugby.
New Zealand Geological and Nuclear Sciences www.gns.cri.nz	Contains information on New Zealand volcanoes and earthquakes. Contains great learning modules on New Zealand geological history, atoms, fossils, and New Zealand's ocean floor. Can also track latest earthquake and eruption.
Maori www.maori.org.nz	The main New Zealand Mäori site. Contains information on all aspects of Mäori life, history and traditions.
Maori Language Commission www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/english/index.shtml	The Māori language commission was set up under the Māori language act 1987 to promote the use of Māori as a living language and as an ordinary means of communication. Contains information on language statistics, history of the language, hints on how to use the Mäori language in everyday life and issues facing the Mäori language.