Curiousities from the Collection

Kia ora katoa.

When you have a collection that has been packed up in boxes and wrapped up in bubble wrap the process of unwrapping is one of discovery - what is this? What does it do? How does it work? Those items that have accession numbers can be looked up in the old registers, but sometimes they are not much help........for example, today we unwrapped two wooden screws or augers, about 600mm long and 220 in diameter that were, apparently, used in the butter churning process. We haven't worked out the how yet - but we will. Here is a photo of one - if you have any clues  - don't keep us in the dark; share your knowledge please!

The best bit is - we have two of them!

One is slightly longer than the other and has a metal bit that looks as if it could attach to something, but I don't know what...........we shall keep on looking...............

and keep on unwrapping the curiousities in the collection.........

Ka kite ano.

moving on.........

Kia ora katoa

We have been very busy these last two days making the MOST of the fine weather to get the rest of the Archives shifted into the museum. We must have been back and forward across the street a hundred times or more with loads of boxes, drawers, trays, more boxes, plan cabinets and shelving. The Patea Library Plus staff have been absolute angels as we traipse through the library and back again. Jay, Christina and Moana from Patea BP have been extremely generous in letting us borrow their sack barrow for the heavier items and, huge thanks to MWH for the new traffic islands that have occasionally stopped the traffic. You all rock!

Whilst there is still quite a lot of sorting and shelving to do, the Archives are in the museum - and we can get on with the real work of exhibition development and working towards re-opening. We still need funding for exhibition design and installation so all donations gratefully received!

This photo allows you to see the traffic islands (don't you love traffic calming?) with Terry and Rob as they carry the last of the plan cabinets, sans drawers, into the museum. Happy days indeed.

Ka kite ano.

busy week

kia ora katoa;  it has been a very busy week at the museum. We have had  two exhibition development meeetings and we are moving forward, slowly, at times it can seem agonisingly slowly but - we will get there. We have been shifting the archives from off-site storage  to the museum and this takes ages. So many boxes to move, so many heavy cabinets and drawers.......so many papers and photos. Each box has treasures that we have to look and consider for inclusion - it is a huge task!

In addition to all that work we have been out in the community, reading to the children at Patea Library Plus as part of Library Week. Mr Muggs, the Library Cat bears a remarkable resemblance to Sassy, the Patea Library cat. They could be related, except that Sassy tends to catch small birds rather than rats - so many feathers!

We have had to accept that we willnot ghet the museum open before Xmas - the funding has not been forthcoming and it is nonsenical to set a date until we have the funds.

So, we soldier on. One more busy week in the life of a small museum that desperately wants to get the doors open to the public...........calling all benefactors..............

ka kite ano.

and the winner is..........

kia ora katoa

the winner of the raffle Prize Draw 1:  Milly Mitchell-Anyon; Prize Draw 2: Judith Jones.
They are both delighted as I am sure you would have been had you won, but the real winner here is the museum and I want to say a huge Thank You to all the ticket buyers for their support. You can bask in the warm glow of knowing that you have done a good thing! You are all wonderful people!

Now that the shelving donated by Puke Ariki has been installed in the Archives Storeroom we are busy moving all the books and boxes of archival material from off-site storage to the museum. This is quite a big task, made all the harder by the distractions each box offers. Today we came across an apple crate full of advertising slides from the cinema. These are lovely - the colours are fresh and vibrant and the advertisements are a microcosm of twentieth century commerce in South Taranaki.

"Pop into Mike's Milk Bar for a shake and listen to the juke box - that will while away a relaxing Friday evening before you take your best girl to the late show."

Fortunately the slides are printed on glass so we can scan them relatively easily; once we  have had a chance to do this I can post some pictures for you to enjoy.

It is all to easy to forget what treasures we have when they are stashed away in a distant location; and it is exciting to open the boxes and see what gems we have. Now to fit them into the exhibition..........

ka kite ano

Term 3 Schools Education Programmes

Education programmes are an integral part of contemporary museum practice and Aotea Utanganui is no exception. Rob Groat, our Educator is offering two programmes in Term 3 Pests and Predators and Secret Suitcase.


Pests and Predators examines the relationships between native and introduced animal species. Students will research the attributes of predators and some of the ways to control the impact of these animal pests on South Taranaki’s unique ecosystems.
Rob will lead this free programme at venues around the district for participating schools and he also hopes to run the programme in some of the district libraries during Conservation Week in September.
Secret Suitcase has a collection focus – it features a suitcase full of unusual and mysterious objects from the collection and asks the students to consider what they might be and how these objects could be used. The original intent of the object is as much a question as the possible uses it could have today. This programme is designed to tap into the imagination whilst exploring design and the use of materials.
The development and delivery of these programmes is a result of a partnership agreement between Aotea Utanganui and Puke Ariki. They are intended to connect to the curriculum and will be appropriately adapted for different age groups and learning levels. There are pre- and post- visit teacher resources available to enable maximum use of time and enhanced learning outcomes. Participation is free.