Starting an Oral History Project

Te tīmatanga

starting out 1
Technical practice, oral history workshop, Auckland Central Library, 2025. Photo: Sarah Jane Lipura.

Training courses

Ngā hui whakangungu

Before starting an oral history project we recommend that researchers and interviewers take one of the training courses that are available from time to time. These provide a valuable opportunity to learn about and discuss every aspect of recording oral histories, including culturally appropriate research practice, interview methods, privacy requirements, copyright, agreement forms, and best technical practice.

Training information
forthcoming courses

Preparation & Preservation

Te takatū me te tiaki kōrero

Undertaking an oral history project requires preparation. You might like begin with ‘Points to consider’ below. This document summarizes many of the key initial questions to think about before starting out

points to consider

For more information about planning a community oral history project, working with diverse communities, ethical and technical practice, privacy legislation, copyright and the recording agreement see here:

preparation

To deposit a recorded oral history in a library or museum archive, see the information about repositories in the NOHANZ national survey, and how to prepare a text guide for the oral history interview:

preservation & archiving
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Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, Oral History recordings, 2025. Photo: Sue Berman.
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Judy Siers listens to her recording, 21 April 2023, Wellington. Oral history interview commissioned by the Onslow Historical Society.
Photo: Ann Packer.

Commissioning Oral Histories

Te tono kōrero tuku iho

For those who are interested in commissioning an oral history, we have compiled guidelines for you that include key questions. You will find the Guidelines here:

view here

A list of oral historians around Aotearoa New Zealand who undertake oral history commissions may be found here:

view here

Oral History Funding

Ngā pūtea tautoko

Funding for oral history projects can be hard to find. A principal source are the Ministry for Culture and Heritage New Zealand Oral History Grants Ngā Kōrero Tuku Iho, Piki Ake! Kake Ake! See:

Ngā Kōrero Tuku Iho, New Zealand Oral History Grants | Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage

A list of grant recipients and their projects
1991-2025 is here:

view here

Further information about potential funding sources
can be found here:

view here
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Oral historian Caren Wilton interviews Mayor Wayne Guppy in 2015 for the ‘Upper Hutt in the 1960s’ 50th city anniversary commemoration.
Photo: Matt Weavers for Upper Hutt City Council.