Top 10 Podcast Tracks 2021

We are pleased to share for your listening pleasure the Top 10 Tracks of 2021 from across our variety of Podcast series and playlists.

This is how the numbers rolled! At number one, with nearly 200 more listens than the next track: Kiribati to Aotearoa with Teri Taukoriri is our best travelled podcast track of 2021! 

Our analytics show that this reached an audience across the Pacific with most plays registered from The Federation of Micronesia. Originally recorded as part of a project to document Kiribati migration stories in the Warkworth area, this clip supported our Food for Thought exhibition. In it, Sue Berman with Teri Taukoriri about growing up in Kiribati. Teri recalls everyday meals and shares memories of special celebrations and cooking in Kiribati: “Fish is everyday, chicken every now and then but pigs are for special occasions”. Teri goes on to talk about how important fish is to the family here in Aotearoa New Zealand and her favourite way to cook and prepare fish. This track includes a surprising use for Kina!

Listen to the track here.

Staying on the food theme with the enduring and fascinating Edmonds Cookbook – Sure to Rise, is track two. Originally released in our monthly Kura Tūturu / Real Gold series, in this track you’ll hear  Heritage Collections rare book specialist Jane Wild catch up with Alexa Johnston for a chat about the history and heroes of the Edmonds Cookery Book through the ages. You can also check out this 1910 edition on Kura Heritage Collections Online. 

Listen to the track here. 

Selected from the archive of 1980s oral history recordings this track helped share Panmure Stories at Panmure Library as part of a Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board heritage project. In this track Les Allen recalls the market gardens that covered Panmure when he was a child, and tells a story about a day that Chinese grower Jimmy Hong took his produce to the city by truck.

Listen to the track here. 

Coming up as a favourite, even though it was only published recently, is the first track from the Meet a Rare Book series, Medieval Manuscripts. If you haven’t already listened to this series you are in for a real treat. Narrated by Georgia Prince the series dives into the historical context while also looking at the specifics of the rare books themselves. You can learn more about the making of this series and the books talked about here.

Listen to the track here. 

In this popular track we hear a series of events and stories about local character and horse bus driver Lawrence Teirney. This Whau Heritage Talk was delivered by Lisa Truttman at New Lynn Library as part of a series supported by the Whau Local Board and Auckland Libraries. 

Listen to the track here. 

This sixth track is a pānui or invitation to listen to the full play list from what became a ‘lockdown’ exhibition: Ngā pōito-o-te kupenga o Taramainuku - Islands of the Hauraki Gulf. It has a lovely soundscape through the track which conveys a sense of being there. We invite you to have a listen and a explore the tracks further.

Listen to the track here. 

Coming in at number seven is an interview originally published in our Kura Tūturu / Real Gold series. In the late 1860s Tamihana, the son of Te Rauparaha the Ngāti Toa chief, wrote a 50,000-word account of his legendary father’s life. The original manuscript is held in the Sir George Grey Special Collection, part of the Heritage Collections at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero the Central City Library. In this track Haunui Royal talks with Ross Calman (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-tonga, Ngāi Tahu) about his much needed translation of this significant work.

Listen to the track here. 

At number eight on the list is a recording with Anne Martin, part of a playlist created to celebrate the Rosehill College jubilee in Papukura. Anne began teaching at Rosehill college in 1978 and in this track she talks about the school uniform, and reflects on changes in Papakura.

Listen to the track here. 

The last two tracks are drawn from Auckland Libraries' very popular weekly podcast Books and Beyond. At number nine, Alison Fitzpatrick interviews well-known author, educator and financial journalist Mary Holm about herself and her book: A richer you: how to make the most of your money. 

Listen to the track here. 

And last but certainly not least at number ten is Alison Fitzpatrick and Ineka Vogel in their wonderful Literary Lounge – the episodes recorded from home during lockdown. Here Alison and Ineka talk elegies, eulogies and the euphoria of lives well lived. They promise at least one eureka moment. (Hint: it’s to do with dogs who drive cars).

Listen to the track here. 

Thank you to our listeners and subscribers for your ears and eyes. We hope you continue to enjoy our content in 2022. You can subscribe by selecting Follow from Soundcloud where you can see curated content with more information on tracks and playlists. Or you can follow a track at a time through your favourite podcast provider – available on Apple, Google, Spotify, Podcast Addict and more.