Our two ALHT Stacpoole summer scholars, Matthew Kirman-Martin and Penny Valentine, were part of the cohort of seven 2025-26 Auckland History Initiative (AHI) summer scholars. Professor Linda Bryder notes that 'all of the scholars produced outstanding work. The research outputs, and the excellent in-person presentations, have once again added to Auckland's documented history.' The projects are featured in Auckland Libraries' blog Heritage et al, and the full research is being uploaded to the AHI website. The scholars made extensive use of the Auckland Libraries heritage collections and documentary heritage institutions in Auckland and other cities.
Matthew examined Kinder House and the Church of England Grammar School, providing insights into nineteenth-century education as well as the place of Kinder House as a museum and cultural centre in modern-day Auckland. Penny researched the history of NZ icon Winstone Ltd, including technical, social and environmental aspects of the company’s history.
Both were very appreciative of the opportunity to undertake research. Matthew commented, ‘I have found the AHI Summer Scholarship to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my university studies. Learning more about the city where I grew up has been a genuinely enriching experience.’ Penny reflected that that the highlight for her was, ‘feeling more connected to Auckland and its history, and feeling the accomplishment that this work might help others engage with it.’
Auckland Library Heritage Trust congratulates the Auckland History Initiative and the scholars. Other researchers and their topics were:
Emily Zhu took a long history approach to look at Tiritiri Matangi leading up to the island becoming an environmental sanctuary. The study encompasses human impacts and conservation thinking.
Star Jackson's topic was the Auckland Mechanics Institute and the creation of the Auckland Public Library through a founding gift from Sir George Grey.
Following unsuccessful attempts to establish local government in early Auckland, municipal government finally took root in 1871. Benjamin Mander studied the turbulent and chaotic councils from 1841-1871.
Kasia O'Meara's topic was infant mortality in Auckland before 1910 and the memorialisation of babies who passed away in those years.
Rosa Willis researched the story of how international tennis tournaments developed in Auckland.
