Lessons from the past: how honouring our history informs the future

This year, the AA is celebrating 120 years of serving our Members so the timing felt right to honour New Zealand’s past with stories acknowledging the effort put into keeping our heritage safe.

We talk to a healer who uses traditional Māori methods, a professional historian and writer, a team looking after the country’s precious archives, a carpenter who has renovated a city bar with exact olde-worlde detail, a photographer relying on 19th century techniques and a maker of replica 1931 Alfa Romeo Monza racing cars.

A Christchurch heritage bar

Monica Tischler meets the founder of a bar helping to preserve Christchurch’s heritage.

Objects from New Zealand’s history

Kathryn Webster interviews Jock Phillips, freelance historian and author of A History of New Zealand in 100 Objects.

Digital archives

Jo Percival speaks to the team at Archives New Zealand who are providing digital access to the past.

Wet plate photography

Vanessa Trethewey finds an award-winning photographer working to keep vintage techniques alive.

Traditional Māori medicine

Sue Hoffart meets a Tūhoe healer using traditional rongoā (Māori medicine) for modern-day ailments.

Replica Alfa Romeos

Chris van Ryn talks to a talented builder of bespoke Alfa Romeo replica racing cars.