Norman Kirk Memorial Trust

30/05/2026

A documentary about former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern has won the top prize for best documentary at the 2026 News & Documentary Emmy Awards.

Congratulations to Dame Jacinda Ardern and the team who worked on the documentary from the Norman Kirk Memorial Trust

The film, which features home footage shot by husband Clarke Gayford, has won the top prize for best documentary at the 2026 News & Documentary Emmy Awards.

11/04/2026

Jacinda Ardern documentary 'Prime Minister' nominated for two Emmy Awards.

Dame Jacinda has mentioned in the past how Norman Kirk was "a hero of mine, and brought such dignity and resolve to the battle against poverty and injustice. He also knew that people need us as politicians to try and get the basics right. After all, people don't want much, just "someone to love, somewhere to work, somewhere to live, and something to hope for."

Prime Minister looks at how Ardern balanced motherhood with leadership, and navigated crises like the Covid-19 lockdowns and the Christchurch terror attack.

26/02/2026

📣Update:

The Fiordland Community Board will now consider the submissions received for this proposal at its next hui on 30 April 2026.

More information can be found here:

This proposal is to make Mount Kirk the official name of a prominent peak rising to 1436m west of Percy Saddle, Turret Range, in Fiordland National Park. Closes: Fri 19 Dec 2025

06/02/2026

Today marks 186 years since te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840.

Please check below

Today marks 186 years since te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840.

Here are some resources to support children and families with reflection and ongoing learning:

✒️ Treaty of Waitangi past and present: Aotearoa the way it was (Waitangi Tribunal): https://bit.ly/4au5HAI

✒️ A treaty: Te Tiriti o Waitangi (He Tohu exhibition at the National Library of New Zealand): https://bit.ly/4teCcKD

✒️ Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Graphic Novel): https://bit.ly/4qGriLT

✒️ Keeping Promises – the Treaty Settlement Process (School Journal article): https://bit.ly/46qlSwo

✒️ Te Tiriti o Waitangi (School Journal article): https://bit.ly/4axZ4fN

We hope you have a enjoyable long weekend, with time to pause and reflect on our shared history through te Tiriti o Waitangi and what it represents today.

[Photo: Paekākāriki Beach, January 2026]

02/02/2026

📣Do you know the Norman Kirk Memorial Trust supports a number of organisations through its scholarships. Here's the list of who the Trust supports. The Trust partners with schools, training centres and tertiary institutions to provide scholarships and grants. The Trust was set up in 1976 to honour the life of Norman Kirk, who was the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 to 1974.

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Maori Education Trust
Manukau Institute of Technology
Pacific Pathology Training Centre-PPTC
Waitemate High School (WHS)
The National University of Samoa
Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, Fiji
St Mary's Primary School, Savalalo, Samoa
St Mary's College, Vaimoso, Samoa

17/12/2025

Public consultation closes December 19 on a proposal to name a Fiordland mountain after former prime minister, Norman Kirk

Public consultation has opened on whether to name a mountain west of Lake Manapouri after former Prime Minister Norman Kirk.

18/11/2025

"If you're going to be a moral voice on the climate crisis, as our Pacific leaders have been, then you also understand that you too have a responsibility to act," said Dame Jacinda Ardern, who is at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, as special envoy for Oceania, told Pacific Waves.

Read more here 🔗

The former New Zealand prime minister, who is at COP30 in Belém, says every nation needs to do its bit when it comes to climate change.

12/11/2025

Underway in the Brazilian city of Belém is the United Nations Climate Change Conference which is known as COP.

There are a number of Pacific nations and territories at this year's gathering which is being hosted by Brazil. Climate change is a major challenge for many nations and territories in the world but especially in the Pacific.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister, Dame Jacinda Ardern was at SPREP's Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion in Belém.

Dame Jacinda has mentioned in the past how Norman Kirk was "a hero of mine, and brought such dignity and resolve to the battle against poverty and injustice. He also knew that people need us as politicians to try and get the basics right. After all, people don't want much, just "someone to love, somewhere to work, somewhere to live, and something to hope for."

COP30 ends on the 21st of November.

04/11/2025

Consultation opened last month to name an unnamed mountain, Mount Kirk, in honour of former Prime Minister Norman Kirk 🏔️

The mountain is located west of Lake Manapouri in Fiordland National Park.

Find out more in the 🔗 -

Public consultation has opened on whether to name a mountain west of Lake Manapouri after former Prime Minister Norman Kirk.