Pacific Manuscripts Bureau

18/05/2026

The latest AAPS newsletter is out and features a story by Lisa Hilli about work in progress to translate and transcribe registers of people taken from islands of Melanesia and Kiribati to work on DHPG plantations in Samoa, 1887-1913. Work is almost complete and will be released on the PMB website soon.

13/05/2026

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12/05/2026

Pitcairn and Norfolk Islands book of origins returns to Norfolk. Thanks Pauline Seton Reynolds for bringing this story to our attention.

After the infamous mutiny on the Bounty the mutineers settled on remote Pitcairn Island. The Pitcairn Island Register is the original record of births, deaths, and marriages from the Bounty and it also records their fate. It dates back to 1790 and has, until now, been kept in the National Maritime M...

04/05/2026

Followers in Samoa 🇼🇸 may be interested in this upcoming presentation by Ruby Satele.

FOA SEMINAR SERIES 2026

We are excited to host PhD candidate Ruby Satele, presenting on her research on Samoan ancestors in Museums.

For more information, see the flyer below.
ALL are invited.

29/04/2026

Coming up later this morning, PMB Chair Dr Nayahamui Rooney, will be presenting a seminar on the important work she is doing with her parents' archive. You can attend in person at ANU or join via Zoom. Details below 👇

Choosing the right university is a defining decision. Discover why an arts, social sciences or humanities degree at ANU is the right choice for you.

23/04/2026

An update from PIALA President and Joeten-Kiyu Librarian, Erlinda Naputi, on how CNMI library staff and services are coping in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

20/04/2026

We're so proud of long-term friend of PAMBU, Annie Kwai, for her role in the excellent children's book about the Solomon Islands Coastwatchers - Aaron Kumana and Biuku Gasa - who rescued JFK and the crew of PT-109 during the Second World War. The book was launched in Honiara last week and will be distributed to all schools in Solomon Islands. The book can be ordered from most online bookstores.

U.S. Embassy launches campaign delivering Rescuing JFK book to all Solomon Islands schools, honoring WWII history

31/03/2026

Pambu gets a mention in the latest ANU Pacific Institute news.

Ton Otto, Professor Emeritus of anthropology at Aarhus University, Denmark, visited the ANU.

11/03/2026

Mark your calendars for this one! Join in-person or watch online. Details below 👇

The National Library and Alexander Turnbull Library are here to help you access and use the collective knowledge of New Zealand.

10/11/2025

Wow, what a week in windy Wellington! Pambu was involved with both the iPRES and PARBICA conferences and my mind and heart are full. At iPRES, I spoke on a panel of archivists from around the Asia-Pacific region, convened by the wonderful Joshua Ng and kicked off with a powerful provocation by Asti Sherring. I spoke about bridging the digital divide that persists for many archivists in the Pacific, and pragmatism vs best practice. These conversations continued throughout the week and I’m thankful for all the good folk who shared their knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject. The digital preservation community is generous and welcoming. Congratulations to the organisers and to the Regional Impact Committee for your commitment to telling the stories of our region and having lasting impact on our region.

The week ended on a high note with a successful PARBICA conference. The Parbica Bureau was determined to demystify digital through workshops, practical activities and tours, and all of our presenters did an amazing job of sharing their expertise with conference delegates. I’m honoured to have been re-elected to the PARBICA Bureau for another term, along with Bureau stalwarts and some new faces. I’m excited.

Thank you to all conference delegates for sharing your stories and enthusiasm. Thank you to the good folks at the National Archives and Library of New Zealand for being such generous hosts.