Latest technology searches the past

Haneta Pierce, Canterbury Public Library's Maori Resources Librarian, has found the Internet an excellent tool for establishing genealogies and networking within Maoridom. "When I came to the Canterbury Public Library I already had a good network of contacts within the Maori community, but I'm always on the lookout for more. The internet is a marvellous way to locate other Maori groups and people who have information about whakapapa."

As well as using the 'net as a source of information, Haneta is developing a home page called 'Ara Ipurangi mo te Iwi Maori' (Internet for Maori). Haneta has gathered together a lot of interesting Maori Internet sites which she hopes will make searching the net easier. Haneta believes the Ngai Tahu web site, for example, is a really useful Iwi resource at: http://www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz/

"Maori resources should be as accessible as possible. Whether encouraging people to visit our Internet page, or making Maori feel welcome in the library."

To help create a special area for Nga Taonga Maori in the Central Library, Haneta has commissioned Maori arts and put up a noticeboard for community and Iwi news.

The internet address for 'Ara Ipurangi mo te Iwi Maori' is http://library.christchurch.org.nz/resources/maori/