Rainbow Archive Project launches to preserve Taranaki’s queer histories

New Plymouth District Council’s Puke Ariki Museum and Pride Taranaki have entered into a partnership that will see the stories of the region’s LGBTQIA+ communities collected, preserved, and added to the wider Taranaki story.

The Rainbow Archive Project will collect objects, stories, and experiences from Rainbow communities in Taranaki, ensuring their lives and contributions are preserved and shared through Puke Ariki’s exhibitions, events, and research resources for current and future generations.

“This is a significant milestone for an often-marginalised group of our community, whose lived experiences reflect some of the biggest shifts in our society and culture, yet whose stories have remained largely untold,” says Pride Taranaki chair Chris Herlihy.

“Pride Taranaki will act as the advocate and connection point, working across the community to identify and collect a broad and inclusive range of experiences through audio and video spoken histories and stories, to add to the collection.”

Stories will initially focus on individuals such as Lew Pryme, Georgina Beyer, Vivian Hutchinson, and Fiona Clark. Other areas of focus will include the history of New Plymouth Prison and life throughout the 20th Century, including early activism and support groups dating from the 1970s.

“Many remarkable individuals with strong links to Taranaki have made important contributions to the changing social fabric of life nationally and locally,” Chris says.

The archive has been welcomed by Puke Ariki Museum Manager Frith Williams. 

“Our role as kaitiaki of Taranaki’s collective history is to ensure all voices in our community are represented and cared for.

“Making these stories widely available will help celebrate the contributions of the Rainbow community and support greater understanding and inclusion in the future.”

Public events (free entry)

The public is invited to celebrate the launch at Stories That Matter: Celebrating the launch of the Rainbow Archive Project on Wednesday, March 4, from 5:30-7:30pm at Puke Ariki Museum Foyer (tickets via Eventbrite).

Professor Chris Brickell from the University of Otago will deliver a keynote address exploring the history of New Plymouth Prison, which operated as the country’s designated institution for men convicted under “homosexual offences” laws between 1917 and 1952.

And on Saturday, April 11, from 2-3pm at the Taranaki Research Centre, join Puke Ariki Archives Curator Glenn Martin and Pride Taranaki for Capturing Living Memories: Oral Histories at Puke Ariki.

Learn how oral histories capture voices and lived experiences that might otherwise be lost. Attendees will be among the first to learn about the new Pride Taranaki Oral History Archive and discover how storytelling can strengthen connection, visibility, and belonging across generations.

Please visit pukeariki.com for more information.

At a Glance

• Puke Ariki, meaning Hill of Chiefs, stands on a former prominent pā site in central New Plymouth.
• It opened in 2003 as a combined library and museum—an innovative storehouse for Taranaki’s taonga and stories.
• The museum presents both long-term and regularly changing exhibitions across six gallery spaces.
• The central and community libraries offer many events designed to foster a love of reading, learning and connection.
• Puke Ariki also houses a research centre, restaurant and café, and the district’s Isite visitor information and ticketing hub.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Caption:  Pride Taranaki Chair Chris Herlihy, left, and Puke Ariki Archives Curator Glenn Martin search through the archives ahead of the launch of The Rainbow Archive Project.