Rural Heritage Southland is a Heritage Trust that was established in 2002. Originally it was designed to illustrate family farm life in Southland,

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

from the inter-war period of 1925–1935. The focus has now shifted to include all southern rural heritage (such as agriculture, horticulture, machinery, farm equipment and oral history). As such, the Rural Heritage Southland now has assumed more of a

stewardship Stewardship is an ethical value that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources. The concepts of stewardship can be applied to the environment and nature, economics, health, property, information, theology, cultural resources e ...

role of safeguarding and promoting the rural past through its various projects.

Projects

Rural Heritage Day — This

living history Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although it does not necessarily seek to ree ...

event is held every two years. It includes a wide range of rural domestic and working exhibitions from: blade shearing to dog handling, and jam making to blacksmithing. Competitions such as hay bale throwing (over rugby posts) and rides on traction engines are particularly popular. Oral History Project — this project begun in 2006 aims to record as many stories about Southland's rural heritage as possible before they are gone. It also acts as a training ground for new oral historians to learn interview techniques and how to use digital recording equipment. The recorded stories are accessible from the Invercargill Public Library. Southland Regional Heritage Forum - First held at Southland Boys High School in April 2012. The Heritage Forum is chance for Southland heritage organisations to get together, share ideas and network.

References

* Cathy Macfie
Southland's Rural History Celebration
''Heritage Matters'', Issue 6, page 30, Autumn 2006.

External links

Rural Heritage Southland website

Living Heritage website

Organizations established in 2002 Agricultural organisations based in New Zealand Heritage organizations Southland, New Zealand 2002 establishments in New Zealand History organisations based in New Zealand {{NewZealand-org-stub