Knowledge Bank Hawke's Bay

🐝 Today is 'Don't Step on a Bee Day' and we’re inviting you to do just the opposite—step into the fascinating story of the BEE family. Our extensive collection at Knowledge Bank holds remarkable tales, rare photographs, and cherished documents that bring this extraordinary family’s history to life.

Discover the story of the BEE family from Nottingham to New Zealand here: https://knowledgebank.org.nz/text/bee-family-from-nottingham-to-new-zealand-the/

Interested in preserving your own family history? Contact us to learn how Knowledge Bank can help.

Celebrating 100 Years of Power and Progress” is the story of the history of electricity supply in Hawke’s Bay. This 15-page newspaper supplement printed by Hawke’s Bay Today contains many photos of electrical appliances used in days gone by, many of them courtesy of the Faraday Centre, plus advertisements, photos of linesmen at work, office staff, vehicles, disasters and a wide range of electrical installations from cow sheds to power schemes.

Read it here: https://knowledgebank.org.nz/text/celebrating-100-years-of-power-and-progress/

Liz Pindar, long-time member of the Heretaunga Tramping Club, gave a talk to Landmarks in 2022. She described her many years of tramping locally and throughout mainly the North Island, and particularly in the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges. The club built three huts in the ranges, carrying all the materials themselves in some steep terrain, and these huts are open for all to use for a donation to the club. Liz describes beautifully the breathtaking views from the tops, and the feeling of there being nothing else like it in the world.

Listen and read along to the talk here: https://knowledgebank.org.nz/audio/heretaunga-tramping-club-liz-pindar/?searchterm=Kaweka%20Ranges

Dr Michelle Smith discusses the life and works of photographer Mary Elizabeth Greenwood.

At the turn of the twentieth century when professional photographers were still mostly men. Mary Elizabeth Greenwood. headed to London to study photography. Returning to Wellington in 1906 she opened a studio and over the next 30 years became a much-admired photographer whose clientele included notable Hawke's Bay figures.

Come join Duart House Society on Wednesday 17th July. $2 entry. All are Welcome.

Taradale 1886-1986 Centenary Salute”, published by “The Daily Telegraph” in 1986 to commemorate the centenary of Taradale, contains 40 pages of the history and photos of the town by decade and also includes many advertisements which represent the history of those businesses which were operating at the time.

Read the full magazine here: https://knowledgebank.org.nz/text/taradale-1886-1986-centenary-salute/

The Magill family generously allowed us to digitise a copy of the book about their father, well-known Hawke's Bay personality, Pat Magill. "Pat Magill - Leading From the Front" is an inspiring read about the man who contributed so much to the communities in which he lived.

We are very fortunate that we live in a region that offers many beautiful locations that we can set up and have a picnic. Today is international picnic day Kuripango has been highlighted as a favouite for this occasion.

Where is your favourite spot for a picnic in the Bay?

Happy King's Birthday Weekend

In 1970, a young Prince Charles, on his first visit to New Zealand, accompanied the Queen, Prince Philip, and Princess Anne on a trip for the opening of Parliament, which coincided with the bicentenary of Captain Cook’s 1770 expedition to Australia. On the tour, they stopped over in Napier for a sea lion performance at Marineland.

Queen Elizabeth ll in her 70 year reign visited the Bay on five trips. 1954, 1963, 1970, 1986 and 1990.

What do you remember about the time of any of Her Majesty The Queen's visits?

The Hastings Carnival programme of 1932 contains not only the lists of events held during carnival week. The 28-page spread is also a treasure trove of poems, jokes, caricatures and humorous advertisements that often make fun of local identities. A rare gem indeed.

To view the full programme click the link https://knowledgebank.org.nz/text/hastings-carnival-programme-1932/

Today is National Caterers Appreciation Day

The photo is of the Catering staff at Hastings Central School 1975.

We appreciate all the commitment of caterers who make our events memorable with unforgettable food and fill our tamariki pukus in our school systems.

If you recognise any of the ladies in this photo, we would love to know who they are for our records and where their lives lead them.

“Hawke’s Bay Year Book – Centennial Issue”, published in 1958, contains black and white photos and brief information about all the main centres in Hawke’s Bay.
Of prime interest are the many advertisements with business names such as Hurdley, Eames, Paviour Smith, Atherfold, Uren, Littleford, Alsop to name a few, as well as names that still endure today.

Read more here: https://knowledgebank.org.nz/text/hawkes-bay-year-book-centennial-issue/

From the Rotary collection, in celebration of Rotary’s centennial anniversary on June 19, 2018, Hawke's Bay Knowledge Bank sat down with three members of the Hastings Rotary Club; David Davidson, Brian James, and Graeme Richardson, to chat about the club’s life and times and how Rotary has impacted our community.

Read about it here. https://knowledgebank.org.nz/audio/hastings-rotary-club-members-interview/

They shall not grow old, as those who are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,We will remember them. Lest we Forget.

ANZAC Day commemoration with the attendance of the Home Guard in Wimbledon, Central Hawkes Bay.

Duart House Society Speaker Series is being held on Wednesday the 15th of May at Duart House. The Talk will be about the Hawke's Bay Tribune and the 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake.
Beginning at 10am for morning tea with speaker, Michael Fowler's Historic Hawke's Bay, at 10.30am.

$2 entry
All are Welcome!

Media release from volunteers

Media release from volunteers The Volunteers of Hawke’s Bay Knowledge Bank would like to reassure the public that despite recent publicity, we are still fully operating as usual.

The first Hastings Rotary Club collection is now online just in time for the their centennial celebrations.

Uploading to the website began in June last year. 354 items comprising 180 single-page items and 174 pdfs. There are also 35 photos, one video and one oral history. In all, there are about 600 items available online.

The online items are only a small sample of what was scanned. We have many more records in our archives. The second part of the collection will be uploaded in due course. We celebrate the dedicated men and women from over the years that put in hardwork for our community.

Can you rap? Do you write poetry? Are you a good story teller? Passionate in speaking about climate change?
This competition is the one for you, or you and a few friends. Email now for futher information and get creating. Category winners will perform at the National Aquarium in Napier on June 8th 2024.

Who is attending The Landmarks Local History Talk tonight?
If you are interested in more on this topic, we are selling copies of Tinkers Gully, Desert Gold & Other Stories

Come along to the next Landmarks Local History Talk at Hastings Library!

The next speaker will be Laurie McCallum. Laurie will talk about Desert Gold and the Gray Family: Mare Desert Gold was the top racehorse in Australasia in her time owned by Tom Lowry and trained by Fred Davis. Laurie's grandfather assisted her trainer.

The talk will be on Tuesday the 9 April, upstairs in Hastings Library.

The talk starts at 5.30pm - entry by gold coin donation

Reprint of West to the Annie is NOW available! Selling for $95. Limited copies are available from the Knowledge Bank.
$10 for postage or $15.50 for rural delivery.
Check out the listing on Trademe or email [email protected]
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/antiques-collectables/documents-maps/maps/listing/4643078551?bof=xDVs89ou

West to the Annie was first published in 2002
A history of that part of Hawke’s Bay bounded by the Ngaururoro and Tutaekui rivers, Fernhill and the Kaweka Ranges. The book firstly examines the diverse and spectacular natural history of its many landforms and then brings its rich and colourful Maori heritage to life, giving us insights into how and why the area was settled. Pioneer stories abound as we see how the old coach roads are opened up and a rugged and, at times, unforgiving country becomes populated.

Our Duart House Speaker series continues on Wednesday 17th April 2024. See flyer below for further details.
All welcome.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us and donated money to our fundraising campaign. We really appreciate your support and kind words of encouragement.
So far we have raised $6,040; so over half way to our initial target of $10,000.
With the region's continued support, I'm sure we will achieve our goal.

Stoneycroft the home of The Knowledge Bank is taking part in Hastings District Councils Parks Week 2024. Constructed around 1875, Stoneycroft is the oldest of the buildings showcased during Parks Week.
Join us in celebrating the heritage of Stoneycroft. We are located at 901 Omahu Road, on the corner of SH2

We are here at the international cultural day happening now at Cornwall Park!
Come and experience our Hawkes Bay multicultural communities lifestyle, food and talent.

We are located on the playground side of the Park.

International Cultures Day is happening tommorow.
We will be there in conjunction with Radio Hawke's Bay

A fun event for all. Come on down to Cornwall Park, Hastings.

Hi Friends and clients of Knowledge Bank

This is a request by the Advisory Committee of the Knowledge Bank for support of the financial kind – we have been actively expanding our base from Waipawa/Ongaonga up to Wairoa, and have made plans to open a base in Taradale next month.
We also are recording and saving as much information relating to the recent Cyclone in conjunction with Radio Hawke's Bay.
We need to retain our one and only staff member to ensure that these projects are managed and run smoothly.
If there is no manager at Knowledge Bank and we are a volunteer only organisation we will not be able to continue to maintain our high standards and support our current volunteers needs.
It would be nice to be able to cover our volunteers’ time and costs, as well as looking to get extra equipment together to record our region’s history and stories. There are more and more items coming to us for digitisation and ultimately saving for the future. Our collaboration with Radio Hawke’s Bay will further advance our activities and to improve our information gathering services.

Unfortunately, in the present climate of financial pressures, due to natural disasters in particular, we are having difficulty covering these costs. Of course, we are also looking for more volunteers as the work load mounts – the Cyclone alone will take a few years to properly document and we are cooperating with Radio Hawke’s Bay for sound recordings of those affected.

Our volunteers are doing their best, including dipping into their own pockets, but there is obviously a limit as to how far that can extend.

So we are trying to raise at least $10,000 over the next month to help advance the cause.

Any contribution would be very gratefully received (see attached form) – A donation of $100 would go a long way and effectively only cost you $66 once you claimed back the tax portion from Inland Revenue.

With our huge thanks for your help.

The Knowledge Bank Family of Volunteers

The Dinner Club Cookbook
This book came about after a guest complimented me on the meal one night .. She said it was just like her Mum used to make. Then she stopped .. And very quietly added: "I lost all her recipes in the floods". Heart breaking - when I think of the history and notes my Mum and Grandmother have on their recipes which I now have. I can't imagine losing them let alone any of my cook books.

So I decided to make a book of recipes that we used to feed TDC guests - comfort food, the sort of food Mum would make. And some of the guests who attend dinners share their cyclone experiences in the book too.

The Dinner Club Cookbook is being officially launched tonight at a special "anniversary" dinner club, by Napier Mayor, Kirsten Wise with profits being reinvested to enable us to keep supporting TDC guests as and when they need it.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/books/non-fiction/cooking/other/listing/4570359356

Wednesday witnessed Hawke’s Bay residents wearing black and white clothing to observe the initial anniversary of the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. The aftermath claimed eight lives, rendering thousands homeless, without power, and deeply involved in continuous recovery endeavours. Sincere condolences were expressed for those who lost loved ones and communities navigating the challenges of loss and recovery.
Knowledge Bank acknowledges the fortitude and vigour of Hawke's Bay as we embark on the journey of rebuilding our community. We would like you to share and protect your stories with The Knowledge Bank.

Photo Supplied by NZME