“With a View to the Future” 

– A competition for South Africans –

South African immigrant families are invited to participate in a competition to help shape the Auckland Museum. This is one of the ways in which South African immigrants can symbolically and tangibly anchor our legacy and emerging history in our adopted country.

In a previous issue of SANZ’s “Connections” magazine, it was announced that SANZ has committed $25,000 (over a period of 5 years) to the “With a View to the Future” project, to support the major refurbishment of Auckland War Memorial Museum. In recognition each contributor’s name will be engraved onto one of the large 3 meter high windows which encircle the new dome.

SANZ decided to invite other South African support organisations in New Zealand to join them in making this a collective effort. The Afrikaans Club of NZ and the Rainbow Nation Supporters Club have both accepted the invitation and the three organisations have formed a joint working committee. Approximately $9,000 has already been pledged and the committee is planning some very exciting social events to raise funds.

To register the names and histories of the contributors for posterity the Museum will be producing a beautiful limited edition linen-bound book recording the stories of how and why people and families came to Auckland and what they have done with their lives here. The committee invites South African immigrants to participate in this history by submitting their family’s account of their transition into the New Zealand landscape. The best entries will be considered for inclusion in the ‘South Africans in New Zealand’ history for the commemorative book.

But what exactly will it contribute towards? Looking out over the newly completed “Grand Atrium”, atop the Museum’s inner courtyard will be a spectacular copper dome completing the classical profile of the building.

The southern circular inner courtyard will be enclosed in a four-storey development that will create much needed public spaces such as an auditorium, a learning centre and a special exhibitions hall. Two below ground levels will enable the Museum to store on site collections that are currently held elsewhere. We are proud to be involved in this historic development of Auckland Museum and at the same time have recorded in the fabric of the building our support, for future generations to see.

The Competition

1. Any South African immigrant family may enter.
2. In 100 words, formulate your best personal experiences and what your family most values about resettling in New Zealand.
3. Email your contribution to George Deeb, at deebgad@xtra.co.nz
4. Provide your name, address and telephone contact details and your date of arrival in New Zealand.
5. Closing date: 30 September 2005.