Heritage et AL

Albany’s King George V Coronation Hall. Photo: Janine Irvine, 2026. Time is what makes Albany’s hall remarkable.  Unlike so many historic halls, long replaced, removed or updated beyond recognition, Albany’s 115-year-old Coronation Hall continues to function as a busy community meeting place. The building has heritage status, and maintenance is shared between Auckland Council and the volunteer Albany Hall Committee. The origins of Albany Coronation Hall Albany’s King George V Coronation Hall opened on 3 November 1911 with a celebratory ball attended by about 250 local residents who, according to Martin Perkinson in his 100th anniversary speech (10 December 2011), “made such a merry night of it that they left the ball just in time for milking” – setting a precedent for social merriment for years to come.  The origins of Albany Coronation HallThe idea for a community hall had been discussed since the 1890s, growing from the formation of the Albany Fruitgrowers’ Association in 18...

August Hettig also known as Okusi/Aokosi Heti in Tonga. Portrait cropped from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1951-060-008.  https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photographers/id/5581/ From royal ceremonies to community and village life, the story of 20th century Tonga is vividly documented through the lens of August Hettig.  For more than 50 years, Tonga's only resident professional photographer captured the everyday moments that shaped the Kingdom during a period when much of its history was recorded through colonial narratives. Where written accounts often failed to reflect the richness and diversity of Tongan life, Hettig's camera offered an invaluable visual record. The August Hettig Collection is now cared for by Auckland Council Libraries and highlights the cultural vibrancy of Tonga throughout the 20th century.  Who was August Hettig? August Hettig was of German and Tongan heritage. From around 1916 until his death in 1974, he was for ...