Originally prepared by Robin Astridge. Events after 2014 added by Lisa Truttman.
The New Zealand History Federation Inc evolved over a number of decades, finally reaching its present format in 1971.
The first reference to forming a national body was in late 1934 but did not reach fruition as one or two major historical centres did not support the venture.
After WW2 and the Korean conflict major development was taking place within New Zealand and many heritage sites were either threatened or bulldozed into extinction. Again the amateur historical societies raised the question of a national body in order to protect the remaining sites – this time with greater success.
From this attempt rose the professional New Zealand Historic Places Trust; this effort was commented on in the journal of the NZHPT, New Zealand Heritage Winter 2005 volume.
Over the ensuing years it would appear the NZHPT moved away from the concepts that were envisaged by historical societies. These concerns were addressed in August 1970 when a meeting, instigated by the Auckland Historical Society, was held in Hamilton. From this meeting a steering committee, Mr A A N Moore (Cambridge) convener, was formed and charged with drafting a constitution and calling a meeting in 1971. The object of this next year’s meeting was to form and launch a federation of historical societies. The expected advantages to societies were mutual assistance, dissemination of information and a strong national voice for the preservation of historic sites and records.
During the weekend 20-21 March, 1971 at that inaugural meeting, the New Zealand Federation of Historical Societies (hereafter referred to as the Federation) was formed, with 44 historical societies listed as members later that year. In December 1973 the Federation was incorporated at Hamilton. This incorporation has assisted non-incorporated members over the years in their applications for funding.
Over the years the Federation has maintained an annual conference and an annual general meeting is held as part of the weekend’s activities. These conferences are held throughout the country, which gives all member societies the opportunity to meet with like minded groups. This annual conference is one of the strengths of Federation as joys, pitfalls and experiences are shared at these meetings. Regional days are also held in various parts of the country where affiliates meet for a day and share thoughts and learn a little of the host society’s historical heritage and sites.
Other activities include publication and distribution of a quarterly newsletter as well as half yearly journal New Zealand Legacy. This journal has been published since 1989 and can perhaps claim to be the longest continuous heritage magazine in New Zealand. Prior to 1989 a journal was published each year from 1971, an achievement of which Federation is proud. These are the main means of communication with members. The Federation’s website is also available for both members and the public’s information about itself and member societies.
This is the Federation that continues to the present. Membership has increased slowly and the Federation is now actively seeking further contacts and hopefully membership with non-affiliated societies.
In 2014 the Federation was renamed as the New Zealand History Federation Inc, and in 2016 a version of the name in Te Reo was adopted. In 2020, along with the rest of the country, the History Federation and its members were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. That year, we were unable to have either an AGM or conference, and for the first time in our history, our committee entered a caretaker role until the following AGM in 2021. That year, plans began for a new website to replace the older one from 2008-2009. NZ Legacy ceased to be published as hardcopy edition at the end of 2019. Patron and Past President Robin Astridge, also serving as an executive committee member once again, volunteered to continue NZ Legacy in electronic form, and did publish two such issues before he passed away in June 2022.
Below are lists of: Past Presidents of the NZ History Federation, Officers on the Executive Committees and Patrons, past AGMs and conferences, and NZ Legacy editors.