Radio archive
K.I. Davis made this Official Information request to Radio New Zealand Limited
The request was successful.
From: K.I. Davis
Dear Radio New Zealand Limited,
1. Please supply all agreements, including but not limited to Memorandums of Understanding, letters of understanding, contracts etc., between Radio New Zealand and Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision (New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and
Sound Ngā Taonga Whitiāhua Me Ngā Taonga Kōrero) from 2014 onwards.
2. Please supply all documentation, including but not limited to meeting minutes, emails, correspondence, from 2015 onwards relating to the movement or possible movement, housing or possible rehousing, and access to large-scale historic radio collections (large-scale collections being more than 100 items) owned by Radio New Zealand and its predecessors.
Yours faithfully,
K.I. Davis
From: K.I. Davis
Dear Radio New Zealand Limited,
You have a legal obligation to respond promptly to OIA requests - in this case by the 9 December 2016.
I look forward to hearing from you in the very near future
Yours faithfully,
K.I. Davis
From: George Bignell
Dear Mr Davis
Please find attached the main "Transfer Agreement" which enabled the hosting of RNZ's archives by Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision (NTSV). Dollar amounts have been redacted from this copy of the agreement.
RNZ has been aware for some time that there was a proposal for NTSV to move the RNZ collection from its current home in Cashel St in Christchurch to a new facility in Wigram. We understand that this move will not now be happening.
I trust the above is of assistance to you.
Kind regards
George Bignell| OIA Inquiries Coordinator
RADIO NEW ZEALAND | LEVEL 2 | 155 THE TERRACE
PO BOX 123 | WELLINGTON | NEW ZEALAND 6140 | www.rnz.co.nz
DDI +64 4 474 1424 | [mobile number]
-----Original Message-----
From: RNZ
Sent: Friday, 11 November 2016 8:27 a.m.
To: George Bignell
Subject: FW: Official Information request - Radio archive
-----Original Message-----
From: K.I. Davis [mailto:[FOI #4928 email]]
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2016 8:04 AM
To: RNZ
Subject: Official Information request - Radio archive
Dear Radio New Zealand Limited,
1. Please supply all agreements, including but not limited to Memorandums of Understanding, letters of understanding, contracts etc., between Radio New Zealand and Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision (New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Whitiāhua Me Ngā Taonga Kōrero) from 2014 onwards.
2. Please supply all documentation, including but not limited to meeting minutes, emails, correspondence, from 2015 onwards relating to the movement or possible movement, housing or possible rehousing, and access to large-scale historic radio collections (large-scale collections being more than 100 items) owned by Radio New Zealand and its predecessors.
Yours faithfully,
K.I. Davis
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From: K.I. Davis
Dear George Bignell,
Firstly, thank you for your response.
Given that you have supplied no documentation relating to the second part of my OIA request it confirms to me the following:
1. That Radio New Zealand has not known about, or authorised Nga Taonga Sound & Vision to move the historic Nga Taonga Korero collection out of the Auckland region.
2. That Radio New Zealand has not known about, or authorised Nga Taonga Sound & Vision to move the historic Sound Archives collection out of the Canterbury region.
3. That Radio New Zealand has not entered into any discussion with Nga Taonga Sound & Vision in relation to accepting the substantial Radio New Zealand collections held at various locations in the Wellington region.
PS: I have appreciated your response. However I do not appreciate that you have assumed my gender.
Yours sincerely,
K.I. Davis
From: George Bignell
Dear K.I. Davis
Firstly, my apologies for putting the incorrect honorific with your name in my message to you. For completeness in my earlier reply, your notes below have prompted me to recall that we have been advised that NTSV will no longer be requiring their storage facility at our Henderson transmission building in Auckland at some point in 2017 but as yet we haven't been advised formally of where or when they intend moving that part of the collection.
Kind regards
George Bignell| OIA Inquiries Coordinator
RADIO NEW ZEALAND | LEVEL 2 | 155 THE TERRACE
PO BOX 123 | WELLINGTON | NEW ZEALAND 6140 | www.rnz.co.nz
DDI +64 4 474 1424 | [mobile number]
-----Original Message-----
From: K.I. Davis [mailto:[FOI #4928 email]]
Sent: Saturday, 17 December 2016 9:52 a.m.
To: George Bignell
Subject: Re: FW: Official Information request - Radio archive
Dear George Bignell,
Firstly, thank you for your response.
Given that you have supplied no documentation relating to the second part of my OIA request it confirms to me the following:
1. That Radio New Zealand has not known about, or authorised Nga Taonga Sound & Vision to move the historic Nga Taonga Korero collection out of the Auckland region.
2. That Radio New Zealand has not known about, or authorised Nga Taonga Sound & Vision to move the historic Sound Archives collection out of the Canterbury region.
3. That Radio New Zealand has not entered into any discussion with Nga Taonga Sound & Vision in relation to accepting the substantial Radio New Zealand collections held at various locations in the Wellington region.
PS: I have appreciated your response. However I do not appreciate that you have assumed my gender.
Yours sincerely,
K.I. Davis
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr Davis
Please find attached the main "Transfer Agreement" which enabled the hosting of RNZ's archives by Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision (NTSV). Dollar amounts have been redacted from this copy of the agreement.
RNZ has been aware for some time that there was a proposal for NTSV to move the RNZ collection from its current home in Cashel St in Christchurch to a new facility in Wigram. We understand that this move will not now be happening.
I trust the above is of assistance to you.
Kind regards
George Bignell| OIA Inquiries Coordinator RADIO NEW ZEALAND | LEVEL 2 | 155 THE TERRACE PO BOX 123 | WELLINGTON | NEW ZEALAND 6140 | www.rnz.co.nz DDI +64 4 474 1424 | [mobile number]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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[FOI #4928 email]
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.
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From: K.I. Davis
Dear George Bignell,
Thank you for the additional information. You may be interested in the recent release (22/12/16) by Archives NZ of material relating to the Wigram co-location project between Archives NZ and Nga Taonga (see https://fyi.org.nz/request/4909-archival...).
In that OIA release PDF #1, page 115-116 there's an email from [name redacted] at Sound Archives on 21/8/15 noting "Auckland [Henderson] audio collection to come to us & RNZ want us to take the public radio material in its Wgtn basement".
If you do by chance find any documentation regarding these movements (as per my original request) it would be good to view it.
Yours sincerely,
K.I. Davis
From: George Bignell
I am on leave, returning Wed 4 Jan, 2017. For anything that is urgent
please call me on 0274 912 246 and I will endeavour to call when I can. I
will follow-up e-mails on my return.
rgds
George
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From: George Bignell
Dear K.I. Davis
I have been unable to find any further documents re the points you raise.
If you would like to call me a the contacts below, I am happy to discuss what it is that you are actually after and I could explain our approach to NTSV a little further if that assists.
Kind regards
George Bignell | Manager Support Services
RADIO NEW ZEALAND | LEVEL 2 | 155 THE TERRACE
PO BOX 123 | WELLINGTON | NEW ZEALAND 6140 | www.rnz.co.nz
DDI +64 4 474 1424 | [mobile number]
-----Original Message-----
From: K.I. Davis [mailto:[FOI #4928 email]]
Sent: Friday, 30 December 2016 8:40 a.m.
To: George Bignell
Subject: RE: FW: Official Information request - Radio archive
Dear George Bignell,
Thank you for the additional information. You may be interested in the recent release (22/12/16) by Archives NZ of material relating to the Wigram co-location project between Archives NZ and Nga Taonga (see https://fyi.org.nz/request/4909-archival...).
In that OIA release PDF #1, page 115-116 there's an email from [name redacted] at Sound Archives on 21/8/15 noting "Auckland [Henderson] audio collection to come to us & RNZ want us to take the public radio material in its Wgtn basement".
If you do by chance find any documentation regarding these movements (as per my original request) it would be good to view it.
Yours sincerely,
K.I. Davis
-----Original Message-----
Dear K.I. Davis
Firstly, my apologies for putting the incorrect honorific with your name in my message to you. For completeness in my earlier reply, your notes below have prompted me to recall that we have been advised that NTSV will no longer be requiring their storage facility at our Henderson transmission building in Auckland at some point in 2017 but as yet we haven't been advised formally of where or when they intend moving that part of the collection.
Kind regards
George Bignell| OIA Inquiries Coordinator RADIO NEW ZEALAND | LEVEL 2 | 155 THE TERRACE PO BOX 123 | WELLINGTON | NEW ZEALAND 6140 | www.rnz.co.nz DDI +64 4 474 1424 | [mobile number]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #4928 email]
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Radio New Zealand Disclaimer
Emails sent by Radio New Zealand Limited (RNZ) or any related entity, including any attachments, may be confidential, protected by copyright and/or subject to privilege. If you receive an email from RNZ in error, please inform the sender immediately, delete it from your system and do not use, copy or disclose any of the information in that email for any purpose. Emails to/from RNZ may undergo email filtering and virus scanning, including by third party contractors. However, RNZ does not guarantee that any email or any attachment is secure, error-free or free of viruses or other unwanted or unexpected inclusions. The views expressed in any non-business email are not necessarily the views of RNZ
www.radionz.co.nz<http://www.radionz.co.nz>
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K.I. Davis left an annotation ()
Dear P L Ford,
Thanks for your note. I marked the OIA request as complete as Mr Bignall said he couldn't find any further documentation. I haven't been in contact with him by phone.
That is a very good point you raise about the safety of the nitrate vault. I have copied and pasted some information below taken from the Wikipedia page on Nga Taonga. You could also possibly OIA RNZ, Archives NZ and Te Papa as they are all parties that have an interest in the storage vault. It would also be interesting to find out how the "wind throughs" are undertaken. What safety equipment (ventilation, personal protective equipment etc) is used by archive staff.
From Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngā_Taonga...)
The purpose-built, 100 square metre climate controlled nitrate film vault was built in partnership with Archives New Zealand in 2013 on land owned by Radio New Zealand. Archives New Zealand contributed $100,000 towards the project which cost in total $366,000. After construction, Ngā Taonga moved four tonnes of flammable nitrate film from Makomako in North Wairarapa to the Whitireia vault over a one week period. The vault also holds nitrate collections from Archives New Zealand and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Even though it was purpose-built by the archive and publicised as having "controlled preservation conditions", Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision now believes the vault is below standard and not within best practice. Currently the nitrate film is stored at 15C, where ideally it should be stored between 2-4C. In 2018 public concerns were raised over the vault's close proximity to a newly proposed radio transmission mast, potentially heightening the risk of inadvertent ignition of flammable atmospheres by radio frequency radiation - particularly when archive staff do regular “wind-throughs” of nitrate film reels.
P L Ford left an annotation ()
Dear Ms K I Davis,
Thank you for your response. I had not looked at the Nga Taonga Sound and Vision entry on Wikipedia for some time and was very surprised to see how up to date the information now is.
Two years ago I notified WorkSafe of the risk of inadvertent ignition by radio frequency radiation and also what could result from another lightning strike to the transmission mast. An Inspector then visited the site. His report states the vault is compliant with NZ hazardous substances legislation. However he qualified the report by a statement that he had no knowledge of risks from Radio Frequency radiation and management told him to close the file.
When I heard in December last year that in 2018 a new mast is to be erected and energised about 130m from the vault, I wrote letters to the WorkSafe Chief Executive expressing my concerns. When she didn't reply I then wrote to Minister Iain Lees-Galloway. WorkSafe finally advised that the Minister had instructed them to take another look. I emailed WorkSafe information I had gathered but failed to receive an acknowledgement. However now that I have made an OIA request via FYI WorkSafe appear to have suddenly started to take notice.
I have sent letters and emails to Archives New Zealand, Nga Taonga Sound and Vision and the Wellington Regional Council who administer the Whitireia Park Plan. Archives NZ claim they have been assured by NTSV the vault is safe. NTSV have replied that they consider the risk is so low they can't justify the expenditure of relocating.
I understand the situation has also recently been discussed by the Titahi Bay Residents Association. I am sure WorkSafe, NTSV or Archives NZ would not have released details so this may be how Wikipedia know of the current situation. Very interesting!
There are two international safety standards I have consulted for information. They are:
“Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film – NFPA 40” and
“Assessment of Inadvertent Ignition of Flammable Atmospheres by Radio frequency Radiation Guide – PD CLC/TR 50247:2004”.
The Titahi Bay vault fails both.
Archives NZ have a small approved Nitrate work area and storage vault on their premises. It is compliant with NFPA-40. NTSV do not have anything similar so I assume the annual wind through is done inside the vault at Tttahi Bay. This is to inspect the film for deterioration and release any trapped gases. Film cans that have been closed for about a year will be opened releasing stored flammable gas at the same time as there is a separation between the metal film can and lid. All the right condition for a spark to occur leading to a possible explosion. They are lucky there has not been such an event so far.
Kind regards,
P L Ford
P L Ford left an annotation ()
Dear Ms K I Davis,
It appears we have similar concerns about NTSV. Not sure if I am meant to do this via FYI, but if you would like more info please txt "Davis" to 027 4484698.
Regards
P L Ford
Brian Warburton left an annotation ()
Has anyone given some thoughts to whether a resource consent is required from PCC? The land is designated in the district plan but only for "radio communication facilities" and only for activities undertaken by Radio NZ. For any other activity/person the rules of the district plan only allow for Open Space things.
P L Ford left an annotation ()
Hi Brian,
When I first discovered that the new building at the Radio Transmission site was for the storage of Nitrate Film I contacted PCC Environmental Officer Jim Sutton. He told me they were happy with the resource and building consents they had issued and it wasn't possible to "unconsent". He said if there was a safety issue I should contact WorkSafe. WorkSafe then sent an inspector who reported that the building complied with regulations but qualified this by stating he knew nothing about Electromagnetic Radiation so couldn't comment. WorkSafe management remain unconvinced of the danger. Despite providing him with information on the risks of inadvertent ignition by radio frequency radiation, Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has stated he can't see a problem. Likewise with the contractor providing the annual site certificate. Radio NZ has yet to start work on the replacement mast. When this is erected and energised the source of high power radio frequency energy will be about 150m from the storage vault significantly increasing the danger.
P l Ford .
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P L Ford left an annotation ()
Dear Ms K Davis,
I note you have flagged this FYI request as successful. To come to this conclusion presumably you had a private conversation with George Bignell at Radio NZ as suggested.
I have a similar problem concerning undocumented actions by Nga Taonga Sound and Vision. After the Earthquakes in Christchurch Canterbury Regional Council wanted to rezone the land around the RNZ AM Transmitting Station at Gebbies Pass. RNZ submitted it would oppose any new construction within one kilometre of the transmission mast due to strong radio frequency radiation having undesirable effects on electric and electronic equipment. However about the same time at the RNZ Transmitting site at Titahi Bay Wellington, Nga Taonga Sound and Vision were constructing a dangerous goods storage vault 520 metres from a transmission mast. Soon a new mast is be erected 130 metres from the vault.
I emailed George Bignell about this problem but failed to receive a response. It appears to be another case of NTSV failing to consult. The dangerous goods vault contains almost the entire NZ collections of pre 1950 Nitrate films held by both NTSV and Archives New Zealand. This building on RNZ land would have required a location compliance certificate from WorkSafe, yet RNZ do not appear to know anything about it.
I am currently attempting to have the compliance certificate revoked on the grounds that the Nitrate Film is subject to Inadvertent Ignition by Radio Frequency induced sparking. Please see my submission to WorkSafe dated 1 March 2018 titled "Location Compliance Certificate for Whitireia Park Titahi Bay Dangerous Goods Storage Vault".
Kind regards
P L Ford
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