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• library spotlight
• storytime
• events
• new displays
• community display cabinet

Welcome!

Nau mai haere mai, talofa lava, merhaba, psheina theelookhoon, soo dhawoow, huan ying, welcome!

Want to know about events, groups and new features at Newtown Library?

This page will keep you up to date!

Spotlight:
Kōhunga Kōrero Storytime in Te Reo Māori

We have a chat with Te Reo teacher Amanda Dobson ...

Amanda Dobson takes our new Kōhunga Kōrero preschool storytime in Te Reo Māori at Newtown Library for it's trial period of 6 mths.

We asked her a few questions:

Q: Amanda, what is your background in teaching Te Reo to little ones?

A:I have previously been a Kaiako in a Kōhanga Reo setting for about 12 years, and the last 5 in a Puna Reo. Before that I was teaching in various primary school and early childhood settings.

Q: So why Te Reo Māori? Why is it important to you?

A:To me, as a New Zealander, Māori is the most relevant second language, and the one most relevant to learn as a Pakeha. I am really passionate about my second language; lots of my friends growing up at Onslow College were Māori and my 3 children have Māori whakapapa (Nga Rauru and Nga Ruahinerangi).

Q: So can you tell us about the Kōhunga Kōrero storytimes you are taking at Newtown Library?

A:I try to make the storytime as participatory or interactive as possible. I use waiata as a tool for retention of language beyond the session, offering support for the families, such as giving a copy of the waiatas to take home, so that they can maintain what they have learnt.
I also like to develop a Te Reo resource space at each library, so that when families revisit the library they can reconnect with previous language focus.

Q: Sounds like you have a mission for Te Reo Māori!

A:Yes I do! I am passionate about Te Reo literacy and about community access to resources, making it more usable and accessible. I think people need support to find confidence to use Te Reo Māori, and for me, being Pakeha, its about being a role model so other people think "If she can do it, I can do it!".

My personal philosophy is that all of us as citizens of Aotearoa have a treaty based responsibility to embrace and support Te Reo Rangatira, Te Reo Māori, as the original language of this land.

No reira, kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui tatou!

Kōhunga Kōrero Storytime

• Our new Kōhunga Kōrero storytime in te reo Māori is at 10.30 am the first Wednesday of the month here at Newtown Library
• 30 mins of stories, rhymes and songs in te reo Māori for preschoolers and their caregivers
• Runs for six months until the 6th August 2010
• Check out here for times at our other libraries!

Kōhunga Kōrero: Pakiwaitara i roto i te reo Māori

• E 30 meneti pakiwaitara, rotarota, waiata hoki i roto i te reo Māori mō ngā kōhungahunga me ō rātou mātua kaitiaki
• Hei te Wenerei tuatahi o ia marama hei te 10.30am (ata mai)
• Hāngai ana ēnei kōrero mai i te 8 o Pepuere 2010 - 6 o Akuhata 2010

Storytime

• Our usual storytime (in English) is every Wednesday at Newtown Library at 10:30am in the children's area
• Storytime runs for about half an hour, with stories and songs
• Pre-school storytimes are fun and free - there's no charge, and you don't have to book
• Storytime is aimed at pre-school age children (three and four years old) - but younger siblings are always welcome!

New Te Reo Māori Children's Books:

Te Haere Hokohoko a Witiwitipū [Witchy Goes Shopping]
nā Dianne Boles (2010)
It's Witchy's birthday, and she decides to make some special party food - but alas, the cupboard is bare, and she can't remember the magic word to restock it. So off she goes to the supermarket with her shopping list, but discovers she's left her glasses behind!

Hūhū Koroheke
nā Kyle Mewburn (2009)
Little Hu-Hu-Tu loved Old Hu-Hu very much. But now all that is left is an an empty shell. Where did Old Hu-Hu get to? Little Hu-Hu-Tu's search for answers leads to a surprising discovery.

Kei Hea Taku Pōtae? [Where's Koro's Hat?]
nā Kerehi Waiariki (2009)
After looking everywhere, Grandpa finally finds his old fishing hat.

Newtown's Community Display Cabinet

We have a fun way for you to be involved in Newtown - bring us your treasured collections to display!

We've had collections of origami, Polly Pockets, Dutch curios, Matchbox cars and a feature on the Knack market in Berhampore, so all ideas are welcome.

Register your interest with one of our friendly staff when you come into Newtown library.