“The invention of hokey pokey signifies how food is intimately related to our sense of identity and what it means to be a New Zealander”, says Greg Goulding Chief Archivist and General Manager Archives New Zealand.
Mr Goulding says, ”The theme of Food, for Records and Archives Week (1-7 May), takes stock of how we record the impact of food on our daily lives through records and archives.”
“As keeper of the Government record, Archives New Zealand holds many documents relevant to the regulation of the food industry over the centuries. These valuable reminders of past decisions that affect all New Zealanders include the transportation of fruit, the school milk scheme and the debate over the presence of cats in food outlets in the 20th century.
The handwritten application for the patent of Hokey Pokey, lodged by its creator William Hatton at the New Zealand Patent Office on 14 March 1896, is another record safeguarded by Archives New Zealand,” Greg Goulding said.
The story of Hokey Pokey features in a series of promotional vignettes released by Archives New Zealand and can be viewed on the Archives internet channel ecast.
Foodie delights on the menu for Archives' exhibitions
Exhibitions are opening at Archives New Zealand’s Auckland and Dunedin office this week as part of the Records and Archives Week activities.
The Auckland exhibition entitled Hearty meals for the masses - the Good the Bad and Ugly highlights public service catering from schoolchildren to forestry workers, from engineers to hospital patients.
Items on display from the Auckland holdings feature menus, canteens and meals on wheels, as well as some food-related health advice. Other foodie delights include the original model (1975) for Linda Topp's Ken, the 1950's forestry workers' menu featuring mutton for breakfast, dinner and tea.
The Auckland exhibition can be visited weekdays from Monday 2 May until 7 June, between 9.30am to 5.00pm at Archives Auckland Office, 95 Richard Pearse Drive, Mangere.
Feeding a Nation: Our Provincial Pantry in the Dunedin office features an assortment of archives illustrating the government’s involvement in food and the food industry in Otago. Films from the National Film Unit, on a variety of culinary topics, including food growing in Central Otago, and food handling procedures for ice cream and beef, are also part of the exhibition.
The Dunedin exhibition runs until 10 June, from Mondays to Fridays, 9.30am to 5pm at Archives New Zealand’s Dunedin Office, 566 George Street, Dunedin. Entry to both exhibitions is free.