Meet our new Library staff

Recognising the role that libraries have in supporting communities, the central government provided a $60 million funding package for libraries, the National Libraries Partnership Programme. From this programme, Westland District Council has secured funding for two additional full-time library staff until June 2022. These roles will support our work with Westland’s communities, focusing on digital participation and innovation, Te Reo and mātauranga Māori, taking our services out into the community, and working to deliver the library services our communities need.

We welcome our new team members, Mike Dickison – Digital Discovery Librarian and Rauhine Coakley – Community Engagement Librarian. They are hugely creative individuals and together, bring a fantastic breadth of experience and knowledge to the library team.

Mike is from Christchurch and is passionate about opening up access to knowledge. He has lived all over New Zealand and most recently, he was on the West Coast for six weeks as the ‘New Zealand Wikipedian at Large’, helping tell the Coast’s stories online; something he is keen to continue in this role as he supports digital participation and innovation across Westland. “I love the West Coast, and I’m really excited to be based here in Hokitika. In my free time, I’ll be exploring forest and lakes and beaches because I’m a nature nerd, and I’m writing and illustrating a kids’ book of nature activities.”

Rauhine was born in Hokitika and raised at Arahura Pa. The Community Engagement Librarian is a completely new and exciting role, to support and help develop a bicultural library service with kaupapa Maori at its heart. Rauhine will be forging new relationships, and building ongoing meaningful engagement with local iwi, key stakeholders, community groups and organisations Rauhine will be based at the Westland District Library in Hokitika with regular visits to our South-Westland Communities and is looking forward to meeting everyone, “Ngā mihi mahana me meri kirihimete”.

We also welcome Caitlin Murphy-Bradley, who has just completed her studies at Westland High School and is considering a possible future career in libraries. Caitlin will be with us part-time for 16 weeks as a Trainee Library Assistant, supported by the Westland Mayors Taskforce for Jobs fund.

Come and meet the team at our Library Christmas Community Morning Tea, 10.30 am on Tuesday 15 December.