Historinz is Karen Stade

I am a Nelson-based historical researcher and writer who enjoys communicating history in ways that are engaging, educational and accessible to all.

I specialise in producing regional, social, and community history books, working with individual commissioning clients, as well as community groups, schools and organisations. A keen genealogist, I also take commissions to research and write family histories, and can conduct oral history recordings.

A print and broadcast media journalist for 10 years, I now concentrate on my love of history and since 2003 have authored or co-authored 11 books; including two immigrant community histories, a three-volume family history series and three school histories.

I have also worked as a museum exhibition curator, a history feature writer, and a founding researcher and writer for the Top of the South Island history website, The Prow. Both during and following my years as a journalist I was the author of several newspaper and magazine history columns.

In 2017, I was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for historical research and services to the community.

My history of Nelson’s Italian community, Pasta, Prayer & Promise, co-authored with Karen Price, was highly commended in the 2016 J.M. Sherrard Award, which recognises excellence in New Zealand local and regional history.

I have served two terms as president of the Nelson Historical Society and, since 2015, been the editor of the society’s annual journal of historical research and writing.

In 2018 I was appointed to the City of Nelson Civic Trust, a key objective of which is to create, preserve or restore and improve features of general public amenity and historic interest in the city. I have twice served as president of the Rotary Club of Whakatu.