Well here we are at last...........

Kia ora katoa and welcome to the MOST blog! hoorah! I have been here nearly three months now and I am loving it. Lots to do, lots of challenges, but ultimately, it is very satisfying work.

Aotea Utanga Nui - Museum of  South Taranaki is a work in-progress. We are currently closed while we develop the exhibitions that will ensure your visit to our fabulous new building is a rich and rewarding experience so, while it may seem as if not much is happening, under the surface we are paddling like crazy to get everything done. In order for the new museum to be built all the collection had to be packed up in layers of tissue, bubble wrap and PET, stored off site, then moved back. This process is continuing as we are unpacking, unwrapping, checking the condition of everything and putting it into the lovely clean safe storage areas. Each step in this process creates paperwork that has to be entered onto the database. Lots to do!

Simultaneously, we are developing the opening exhibitions - plans for these are well underway; we have themes, storylines and a list of key objects that we simply cannot leave out. These items are being cleaned and conserved so that they are all ready to go, so to speak. We have also been finding some exciting new things from around the district including fossilised molluscs and a huge rock containing the jawbone or ribs of a baleen whale. These fossils are about 3.6 million years old so just a teeny bit older than me - but evidence of the long history of South Taranaki.

We intend to be open towards the end of this year. Now that we have the blog and Facebook page I will be able to keep you all informed - watch this space!

ka kite ano
Kristelle