He kaupapa mō te iti, mō te rahi, mō te katoa.
The theme of Matariki 2026 is Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone, encouraging inclusion and togetherness.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision has selected an abridged version of the film compilation Ngā Wai e Rua: Stories of Us for their 2026 Matariki programme. It depicts the unique shared history of Aotearoa through audiovisual taonga cared for by the archive. Each title adds to the story of who we are and where we’ve come from.
The audiovisual excerpts in Ngā Wai e Rua: Stories of Us are taken from the titles listed below. The reference number for each has been included to allow for further exploration of the online collection.
Royal Visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to New Zealand (1901)
Courtesy of Jim Schuster/Te Arawa. Collection reference: F2464.
The visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, thanking New Zealanders for their contribution to the Anglo-Boer
War.
Mount Eden School (1908)
Courtesy of Lynne McDonald. Collection reference: F53909.
Children gather at Mt Eden School in Auckland. It is likely they are celebrating Dominion Day.
His Excellency’s Visit to Cook Islands and Samoa (1919)
Material made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Collection reference: F6552.
The visit by the Governor General Lord Liverpool and Dr Māui Pōmare to the Cook Islands.
Scenes at the East End Annual Picnic New Plymouth (1912)
Courtesy of Phillip Saunders. Collection reference: F2655.
Picnic scenes were screened to an enthusiastic cinema audience within days.
Across the Mountain Passes of New Zealand (1910)
Material made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Collection reference: F10078.
New Zealand’s earliest colour print, shot for Pathé Newsreel.
New Zealanders for the Front: Official Farewell (1914-1915)
Material made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Collection reference: F1820.
The 6th Reinforcement of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force march down Lambton Quay, and the troopship HMZZT No 28
Tofua is loaded at King’s Wharf.
Visit of the Hon WF Massey and Sir J Ward to the Western Front (1914-1915)
Material made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Collection reference: F1068.
A visit to the New Zealand troops on the Western Front, where members of the Pioneer Māori Battalion Te Hokowhitu-a-Tū
haka for the camera.
He Pito Whakaatu i te Noho a te Māori i te Awa o Whanganui: Scenes of Māori Life on the Whanganui River (1921)
Courtesy of John Mahi/Ngā Rauru & Ngāti Mutanga. Collection reference: F2816.
Images shot on the Whanganui River during an expedition undertaken by Dominion Museum.
Journey into Rua’s Stronghold: He Murimuri Aroha ki ngā Mōrehu o Maungapōhatu (1928)
Courtesy of Te Uru Taumatua & Ngā Toenga o ngā Tamariki a Iharaira. Collection reference: F7138.
Maungapōhatu, the community established by Rua Kēnana in the Urewera ranges.
Māori Hui at Tikitiki (1926)
Courtesy of Ngāti Porou. Collection reference: F6678.
The consecration of St Mary’s Church in Tikitiki on 16 February 1926.
Hapuka Fishing in New Zealand (1925)
Material made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Collection reference: F6423.
Italian fishermen unload the day’s catch at Island Bay, Wellington.
The Invincible All Blacks Record Tour (1925)
Material made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Collection reference: F7026.
Highlights from the final test played in Twickenham. The legendary George Nepia is in fine form.
New Zealand News and Views 10, 11, 12 (1928)
Courtesy of Tony Osborne. Collection reference: F4433.
The T&G Building on Lambton Quay, Wellington, was constructed in the days before strict health and safety standards.
Valley of Enchantments: Rotorua’s Geyser Land (1930)
Courtesy of Jim Schuster/Te Arawa. Collection reference: F1025.
Children dive for pennies from the bridge over the Puarenga River in Whakarewarewa.
Fox Movietone News: Nature’s Fireless Cooker (1930)
Courtesy of Jim Schuster/Te Arawa. Collection reference: F4223.
Filmed to show the geothermal region of Rotorua, this recording is precious today as one of the earliest to have recorded te
reo Māori.
Newburn, J. Through Westland’s Coalfields (1930)
Courtesy of the J Newburn collection. Collection reference: F11644.
Miners arrive at Rūnanga Mine high in the hills above Greymouth.
A Visit North to View the Centennial Celebrations at Waitangi (1940)
Courtesy of Paul Baragwanath and the Violet Winstone collection. Collection reference: F87505.
Violet Winstone used one of the first colour 16mm cameras in New Zealand to record activities on Waitangi Day 1940.
New Zealand Diary No.6 (1946)
Courtesy of Archives NZ. Collection reference: F21959.
‘Display by Wellington East Girls’ College’ highlights the benefits of exercise for young women, and ‘Ngāruawahia Regatta’
shows waka fun on the Waikato River.
Weekly Review 138: Women Truck Drivers (1944)
Courtesy of Archives NZ. Collection reference: F673.
Women made a huge contribution to the war effort in New Zealand.
Weekly Review 169: NZ Soldiers and Polish Children (1944)
Courtesy of Archives NZ. Collection reference: F685.
Polish refugees are welcomed to the lower North Island.
O’Brien, David. David’s Homecoming (1945)
Courtesy of the David O’Brien collection. Collection reference: F61352.
Home movie footage of arrival of soldiers aboard HMS Chitral in Wellington Harbour at the end of World War Two.
Weekly Review 232: Māori Battalion Returns (1946)
Courtesy of Archives NZ. Collection reference: F726.
The pōwhiri for the 28th Māori Battalion on Pipitea Wharf, Wellington.
Love and Sacrifice – A Day in the Service of Christ’s Little Ones (1955)
Courtesy of the Sisters of Compassion. Collection reference: F48449.
Sisters of Compassion at St. Vincent’s Home, Auckland, care for young children.
Pictorial Parade 79 (1958)
Courtesy of Archives NZ. Collection reference: F3278.
The rise of the teenager and rock’n’roll in 1950’s New Zealand (featuring the Hutt Valley Youth Club).
Cowie, Dr GBA. Caravan Holiday (1952)
Courtesy of the Dr. Cowie collection and Liz Waddington. Collection reference: F11300.
The Cowie whānau annual caravan holiday.
Open Day and Opening of Auckland Harbour Bridge (1959)
Courtesy of Bruce Reynolds. Collection reference: F27453.
To celebrate the opening day, foot traffic was allowed on the bridge for what was believed would be the first and only time.
Andrews, Philip K. Waiting for the Royal Train, Wellington Royal Decorations (1953)
Courtesy of Shirley Roderick. Collection reference: F40020.
The Royal Tour of HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 1953-54 was a massive civic occasion.
Ahipara Women’s Fire Brigade (1965)
Courtesy of the Ahipara Fire Brigade. Collection reference: F101214.
Firefighters from the Ahipara Women’s Volunteer Brigade demonstrate their skills.
The Golden Shears. International Shearing Competition (1961)
Courtesy of Pitman-Moore New Zealand Ltd. Collection reference: F11397.
The very first Golden Shears competition, at the War Memorial Stadium in Masterton.
To Live in the City (1967)
TVNZ material preserved and made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Collection reference: TZP19874.
Māori urban migration increased after World War Two as many left rural areas seeking employment, education and new opportunities in towns and cities.
The Cook Islands Look Ahead (1965)
Courtesy of Archives NZ. Collection reference: F55063.
Promotion of opportunities for Cook Islanders to train in Aotearoa as well as ongoing cooperation between our two countries.
Gregg’s Coffee. Different Faces. Version 5 A&P Show (1971)
Courtesy of Gregg’s Coffee. Collection reference: C1216.
New Zealand’s first non-animated television commercial featuring a diverse community.
