The Graham Butterworth Collection

March 21, 2018

Nā Maewa Kaihau, Kaitiaki, Te Whare Pukapuka o Te Wānanga o Raukawa

Earlier this year I was invited to meet with Susan Butterworth, a noted retired historian and published author, at her home in Waikanae to view an extensive collection of books assembled over many years by her husband Graham Butterworth who had sadly passed away in March 2016. Graham Butterworth was also a noted historian who lectured at Massey University for a time before working a number of years for the Department of Māori Affairs and Iwi Transition Agency, both organisations being superseded in 1992 by Te Puni Kōkiri. Graham was a researcher and historian specialising in Māori history. His master’s thesis explored the political career of Apirana Ngata and a published book was later released in 1968. Over the years, Graham’s research and writing has produced numerous small and large publications with the larger works focusing on the history of the Department of Māori Affairs and the Māori Trustee. His smaller writings included research papers on Māori economic history and population movement.

The collection itself comprised of general New Zealand history books along with biographies, numerous small and unusual publications along with a large body of Māori history books, Māori biographies and more contemporary books on Māori politics, health and education. If I were starting a specifically Māori focused collection from scratch, then Graham Butterworth’s collection would be an excellent base to start with.

Susan Butterworth agreed that her husband’s collection could be donated to our Library here at Te Wānanga o Raukawa and in early February fellow librarian Ema Jacob and I managed the task of uplifting the majority of Graham’s books. We estimate the collection comprises around 500-600 items although a final count will not be known until we have completed cataloguing and integration into our library system. A large number of items will be made available to our borrowers while some will be placed into our reference collection.

Te Whare Pukapuka and Te Wānanga o Raukawa extends grateful thanks to Susan Butterworth for her generosity in allowing this collection to find a new home with us and for her gracious hospitality as we packed up and moved the books from her home.

The Graham Butterworth collection is being incorporated into our current collection over time and can be identified by an acknowledgement of donation inside the front cover of each item. This generous donation makes a significant contribution to Te Whare Pukapuka and in turn to the teaching, learning and research needs and outputs of our Te Wānanga o Raukawa community.