Oral history advice
Whether you are starting out with oral history or want to hone your skills further, we can help with advice, workshops, and equipment.
Oral history collections
The Oral History and Sound collection is part of the Alexander Turnbull Library.
There are more than 10,000 recordings in the collection. Recordings include interviews with people from throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, of various ethnicities, iwi (tribe) and hapū (sub-tribe), occupations, political affiliations and interests. Talks, readings and events are also covered.
Most of the collection has been recorded since the 1960s. The collection covers New Zealand society, culture, community, and political history from the late 19th century to the present.
About the Oral History collections
Advisory services
Specialist staff can advise on conducting oral history interviews, recording, planning and organising oral history projects, including ethical and technical aspects.
Contact us through Ask a librarian
Oral history workshops
We offer training workshops, for people using oral history in work, community or personal projects.
The tutor for Wellington workshops is oral history advisor Lynette Shum. Similar weekend or weekday workshops can also be organised around the country on request.
Our hands-on training is based on the principles enshrined in the National Oral History Association of New Zealand (NOHANZ)’s Code of Ethical and Technical Practice, and international archival standards.
Download information about our workshops (pdf, 1.2MB)
The essentials of oral history research
A two-day workshop that introduces you to doing oral history, and then builds your interviewing and recording skills. Learn how to plan a project, choose the best equipment, make good recordings, follow ethical procedures, and much more.
Workshop documents
Participating in an oral history workshop? Grab these downloads.
Get recording equipment
We have recording equipment available for hire in the Wellington region. We offer digital recorders (Zoom H5 with AKG C417pp lapel microphones).
Equipment can be hired for $10 a day or $50 for a week, and may be returned by courier.
How to book recording equipment
Booking equipment for the first time? We’ll start you with a free one-on-one training session with the Oral History Adviser.
Once you’ve had a training session, you can make a booking request directly.
Email — lynette.shum@dia.govt.nz or call 04 462 3977
Resources for oral history
Use these documents for recording agreements, interviewee information, and recommendations.
Guidelines for abstracting oral history
Comprehensive guidelines for the style and content of oral history abstracts deposited in the Alexander Turnbull Library’s Oral History collections.
Guidelines for abstracting oral history (pdf, 326KB)
Recording agreement form
Use this form any time you make a recording. It is essential to the ethical practice of oral history and allows the interviewee to determine how they will allow their interview to be used. Complete this at the end of the interview.
Interviewee information form
Fill in with your interviewee. Encourage them to only include details they are comfortable releasing.
Interviewee Information form (pdf, 11KB)
Abstract template
Use this template to create your abstract.
Abstract template (docx, 53KB)
Selecting a repository
Questions to ask yourself when looking for a repository to hold your recording and associated materials. It's good to think about this and discuss with your preferred repository while planning your project.
Selecting a repository (pdf, 88KB)
Guidelines for creating digital records
Guidelines to help you create digital records, or prepare them for transfer to the Alexander Turnbull Library after you have spoken to the Curator.
If you need recommendations for digital equipment to use for oral history work, contact the Adviser through the Ask a librarian
Using the Zoom H5 recorder
How to use the Zoom H5 recorder, from start to finish.
Watch the Using Zoom H5 for oral history tutorial (Vimeo, 8:05 mins)
National Oral History Association of New Zealand Te Kete Korero-a-Waha o Te Motu
The National Oral History Association of New Zealand Te Kete Korero-a-Waha o Te Motu (NOHANZ)] fosters professional standards in oral history, and brings together those interested in oral history.
NOHANZ produced the Recording Agreement Form and explanatory notes above. Please contact them if you have any feedback on the form or notes.
National Oral History Association of New Zealand Te Kete Korero-a-Waha o Te Motu (NOHANZ)
Need help?
The National Preservation Office can also help with other preservation questions. Use one of the contact methods below to contact us for advice about digitising oral history materials.
Contact us
For oral history enquiries, Ask a librarian
For National Preservation Office advice, email preservation@dia.govt.nz
Give us a call
Training, advice, and equipment hire: 04 462 3977
Other oral history services
Curator, Oral History and Sound: 04 462 3972
Research Librarian, Oral History: 04 462 0318
National Preservation Office: 04 474 3000
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