Hundreds of master tapes from the Flying Nun music label's archives have been donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Photo: Mark Beatty/ Alexander Turnbull Library / Department of Internal Affairs
The master tapes come from recordings made between 1981 to the mid-2000s and include New Zealand artists such as The Chills, The Bats, The Verlaines, Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, Look Blue Go Purple, Sneaky Feelings, Headless Chickens, and Bailter Space.
The Turnbull Library - which turns 100 this year - is a part of the National Library of New Zealand.
The tapes are in fragile condition or on obsolete formats, and the library will digitally preserve all of the recordings over the next three years.
Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin said the music was a "huge part" of New Zealand's culture.
Minister for Internal Affairs Tracey Martin, Associate Minister for Culture and Heritage Grant Robertson, Ben Howe, co-director of Flying Nun. Records, and Roger Shepherd, co-director of Flying Nun Records. Photo: Mark Beatty / Alexander Turnbull Library/ Department of Internal Affairs
"It's important for New Zealand that these tapes will be preserved, both physically and digitally, and adds to the Flying Nun collection already in the library."
Michael Brown, the curator of music at the library, said it was committed to protecting all the artists' rights inherent in the material.
"Once the masters have been preserved and digitised, we're really looking forward to working with Flying Nun on future reissues of the music, exhibitions and other opportunities. We expect this collection will significantly enhance research into New Zealand music."
Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherd said the library was a "natural choice".
"It has first-class preservation and research facilities, and was also willing to work with our artists to make their amazing and well-loved music accessible and still preserve all their rights."