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The origins of the History Group go back to 1938 when the Centennial Branch was set up to help mark the centenary of New Zealand becoming a colony in 1840. Initially, its main work was the preparation of the eleven-volume New Zealand centennial survey series, drawing on the talents of various historians and writers, notably E.H. McCormick and J.C. Beaglehole. At the same time the first Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, edited by Parliamentary Librarian, G.H. Scholefield, was published by the Department of Internal Affairs as part of the centennial publication programme. The Centennial Branch went on to produce other historical publications, began work on an historical atlas (which was never finished), and was renamed the Historical Branch.
John Cawte Beaglehole, 17 July 1950. Beaglehole was historical and typographical advisor to the Centennial Branch and later the Historical Branch. Alexander Turnbull Library, PACOLL-6203-50, New Zealand Freelance Collection
In April 1945 the War History Branch was established, gradually absorbing the staff of the dwindling Historical Branch. This new Branch was tasked with collecting and classifying war records under the direction of Chief War Archivist E.H. McCormick, and preparing more than 60 narratives relating to the history of New Zealand's involvement in war. Major-General Howard Kippenberger was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the latter undertaking, which remains the largest historical enterprise ever attempted in New Zealand.
Howard Karl Kippenberger, 15 April 1952. Kippenberger was Editor-in-Chief of the historical series on New Zealand's involvement in the Second World War. Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: PACOLL-6348-21
While work on the war histories continued, there was growing political support for other official works of history. In 1952 A.H. McLintock was appointed Parliamentary Historian, and his work Crown Colony Government in New Zealand appeared in 1958. In 1959 he commenced work as editor of a three-volume encyclopaedia of New Zealand, which was published in 1966.
The cover of An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand (1966), edited by A.H. McLintock
In 1963 The War History Branch was renamed the Historical Publications Branch. Although it continued work on the war histories (the last in the series originally planned was not published until 1986), it began to work also on the histories of government departments and agencies. In 1989 it was renamed the Historical Branch and embarked on a period of expansion under former Chief Historian, Jock Phillips.
In the early 1980s the Historical Branch was involved in setting up the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography project, with first W.H. Oliver and then Claudia Orange as General Editor. Five volumes were published between 1990 and 2000, before the project rejoined the Branch. Another major reference project undertaken from 1990 was the New Zealand Historical Atlas, edited by Malcolm McKinnon. This project drew on the original atlas material put together by the Centennial Branch.
Then Prime Minister Jim Bolger launches the New Zealand Historical Atlas, edited by Malcolm McKinnon, in the Grand Hall at Parliament, 3 November 1997.
From 1998 until 2000, the Historical Branch and the Dictionary came together with National Archives and the Heritage Property Unit to form the Heritage Group of the Department of Internal Affairs. A major achievement of this period was the creation of a website, NZHistory.net.nz, which is now established as the foremost Internet site for New Zealand history. Reorganisation of the culture and heritage sector led to the disestablishment of the Heritage Group in July 2000. Both the History Group (the former Branch and Dictionary) and the Heritage Operations Group (the former Heritage Property Unit) became part of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, while National Archives became a stand-alone government department.
From July 2000 until June 2002 the Historical Branch and Dictionary formed the History Group within the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. In July 2002, the History Group was reorganised into the Reference Group (comprising the Dictionary and the online Encyclopedia), and the History Group.
The History Group will continue to produce the wide range of innovative publications for which it has become known in the past two decades, and to consolidate its position as a reliable source of information and advice for public history. In the words of Dame Catherine Tizard, 'History lies at the heart of heritage, for we cannot preserve what we do not know or appreciate. The History Group is a proven performer in strengthening New Zealanders' knowledge of their past through the wealth of publications it produces, and will continue to excite public interest by its challenging programme for the new millennium.'
