File:A New Day in Samoa Film Reel (8972699595).jpg

English: My name is Anna Gulbransen and I am a Senior Archives Advisor at Archives New Zealand. I also hold the role of Secretary General for the Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives. Formed in 1981, PARBICA is a professional organisation that comprises government archives, non-government archival institutions and associations, and individual members representing more than twenty nations, states and territories in the North and South Pacific, including Australia, Hawaii and New Zealand. As one of 13 branches of the International Council on Archives we do a variety of work across the Pacific to build records and archives capability in the region. One of our biggest and most successful projects has been the development of the Recordkeeping for Good Governance Toolkit. We are currently in the midst of planning our 15th conference which will be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands 12-16 August <a href="http://www.parbica.org/conf15.htm" rel="nofollow">www.parbica.org/conf15.htm</a>

I think this records is a fantastic visual record of a significant period of change in Samoa. The story is told from a very New Zealand perspective which reflects on the thoughts and opinions of the time. I particularly enjoy being able to listen to the songs and watch people going about their day to day life, the film really brings a piece of history to life. In 2013, many years on, we continue to have a great relationship with Samoa and our other Pacific colleagues. There are so many Pacific stories in our archive and in the archives across the Pacific. It is so important that we work hard to find ways to capture and preserve these records so that our young nations can build our own national identities, remembering where we've come from so we can work out where we're going.

The film was produced by the National Film Unit. The National Film Unit was established to publicise New Zealand's participation and achievements during the Second World War. After 1945 the Film Unit expanded from producing weekly newsreels to making documentaries and films to the order of Government Departments. During its existence the Film Unit produced films for national organisations as well as many films on its own initiative. This particular film was filmed by National Film Unit cameraman, Frank Chilton OBE. He displayed an interest in the constitutional changes taking place in the Pacific in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Archives New Zealand took over responsibility for the restoration and preservation of the National Film Unit's extensive archival film collection in 1988. In 1988 the Government announced its intention to sell the National Film Unit. In March 1990 the National Film Unit was sold to Television New Zealand.