The Papakura Museum is a local museum created to recognise and honour the history of Papakura, Drury, and surrounding districts, in New Zealand. This has historically included Franklin, Manurewa, Clevedon, and Kawakawa Bay, as well as other neighbourhoods and districts nearby.[1] The Papakura Museum is a community based museum founded by the members of the Papakura & Districts Historical Society (PDHS). The Museum's permanent exhibition focuses on local history through text, image and artefact displays. The Military Gallery focuses on local military history. Each year the Museum curates four temporary feature exhibitions that run from 2–4 months and include a variety of topics and themes.[2][3][4][5]

Papakura Museum
A square brown building has a sign stating 'Museum' and 'Library' and has a large black and white historical photograph under the signs. There is a carpark entrance visible further down the road along the building.
Accent Point Building carpark entrance from East Street
Map
Established1972 (1972)
LocationPapakura, Auckland, New Zealand
Coordinates37°03′51″S 174°56′32″E / 37.0641°S 174.9422°E / -37.0641; 174.9422
PresidentBrian Leonard
CuratorAlan Knowles
Public transit accessPapakura railway station
Websitepapakuramuseum.org.nz

History

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In 1961, the Hunua branch of the Federated Farmers proposed the formation of a historical society to the Papakura Borough Council. Councillors Ernie Clarke and Deryck Milne were selected to begin work on the proposal and on December 6, 1961, an initial planning meeting was attended by twenty-nine members of the community. The first official meeting of the historical society then took place on March 20, 1962.[6]

The late Ernest "Ernie" Clarke became the first president of the historical society (1962-1966), was heavily involved in the process of establishing the Museum, wrote and edited many of the Museum and historical society's publications, and originally the museum was named and dedicated to his memory.

In February 1972, the Papakura Council granted the PDHS two rooms in a house at 33 Coles Cresent to house artefacts that had been collected by the society. Artefacts had previously been housed in society members' private homes. In September 1972, the first exhibition of the society's collection was held at this location in collaboration with the Papakura Potters Society. In 1973, the museum opened to the public on Wednesday afternoons. In 1977, the public hours were extended to include Sunday afternoons as well.[6]

In November 1982, after the fire brigade moved to new premises, the museum moved into the vacated fire station on Averill Street.[7] Three years later in November 1985, the museum opened a research and archive room to researchers and anyone else interested in using this resource.[6]

After several months of delays, the museum moved again and officially opened on August 31, 1999.[8] The Papakura District Council built a community education complex called 'Accent Point House' at 209 Great South Road. This building was created to house the Sir Edmund Hillary Library, a schools resource centre, and the Papakura Museum. Originally located on the 4th floor of this complex the museum would eventually move downstairs to the 3rd floor in October 2010.[5]

In 2017, the museum opened a dedicated Military Gallery space. This gallery is used to display information and artifacts about the wars and conflicts that have involved New Zealand. These range from the New Zealand Wars to present day peace-keeping operations. This gallery also houses the museum's permanent display of the Costar brothers' WWI artifact collection.[6] This exhibit includes a touch-screen interactive display about the brothers' correspondence during their deployment.[9]

Exhibitions

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Year Dates Exhibit title Exhibit content Guest exhibit Location
1963 September 24–28 Historical exhibition for Waikato War centenary commemoration
1964 November 9 Display stall of photographs at the Clevedon A&P Show for jubilee celebration Clevedon A&P Show
1964 September 18 Display of artefacts at the Methodist Flower Show Methodist Flower Show
1965 April 2–4 Viola Celebrations Display of photographs in Clevedon and Papakura Clevendon
1967 September Display in Woolworth's window for Town and Country Day 90 Great South Road
1972 September 14–24 [First Official Museum Exhibition] Exhibition in conjunction with the Papakura Potters Group 33 Coles Cresent
1976 February 23–28 Early Settler's Sunday Exhibition to raise funds for the restoration of the Selwyn Chapel Selwyn Chapel
1977 November Regional Variations in Maori Carving Special display 33 Coles Cresent
1983 May Pioneer Medicine Special display
Handwriting Special display
November Exhibition of various types of handiwork Loaned by the Papakura Country Women's Institute
1984 July Exhibition on the Plunket Society's work in childcare In collaboration with the Plunket Society
Drury Mineral Resources Special display
September 24 Nepal This exhibition was a tribute to those who participated in the aid programme created by Sir Edmund Hillary to send people from Papakura to Nepal
1985 Pharmaceutical Equipment Special display
75 Years of Special Aviation Special display
1986 December Old Articles Display on the 25th anniversary of the new Anglican church and the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the Anglican parish
1988 February 27 - March 6 Auckland Heritage Festival Photographic display
1990 Monthly New Zealand 1990 Photographic window displays of Papakura throughout the years Trust Bank
Heritage Week Special window display Westpac Bank
1992 February 4 Celebration of 110th Anniversary of Waitangi Photographic displays in 4 bank and 7 shop windows for Waitangi Local Papakura banks and shops
February Object displays in 5 banks and 10 shops for Waitangi
1993 September Women's Suffrage Year Display of artefacts Loaned by the Quota Club of Papakura Quota Club conference
1994 August Year of the Family Exhibition featuring birth to death and leisure activities 33 Cole Cresent
1995 Karaka Field Day Exhibition of loaned artefacts In collaboration with Papakura Enterprise Board and the Trust Bank Karaka Field Day stall
2002 August Racy Exhibition about Papakura's significant pioneering contribution to New Zealand's horse racing industry Access Point Building; Level 4
2011 February - March Anne Frank Exhibition on the progression of Nazi Germany alongside the story of Anne Frank's life Travelling exhibition by the Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Access Point Building; Level 3
April - July ANZAC ANZAC military exhibition including memories of the Vietnam War, WWI artefacts from the private collection of Ian Hamilton, and the late Ian Bennett's war model collection Featured artefacts from Ian Hamilton and Ian Bennett's personal collections
August - September Walsh Brothers Photographic exhibition marking the centennial of the Walsh brothers' flight in Takanini
2011 - 2012 September - February Open All Hours[10] Exhibition on the story of shops, businesses, and storekeepers of Papakura's main street from 1865 to 1938
2012 April Home Fires Burning[11] Exhibition on New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War and the impact of the war on families and South Auckland communities In collaboration with the Papakura Art Gallery[11]
July - September London's Calling Exhibition that included images, equipment, and memorabilia from a range of Olympic sports in celebration of the 2012 London Olympics
2012 - 2013 November - February Sink or Swim Exhibition on the history of bathing suits featuring examples from the last century
2013 March Built for Justice Photographic exhibition looking at old courthouse buildings throughout the North Island
April - May Mirror Magic Fully interactive exhibition using mirrors to explore the science of reflections and reflected light
June - July In Our Backyard Exhibition on the New Zealand Wars
2014 February - April Treasures from the Past: Grandpa's Attic Exhibition showcasing Ted Buising
All Ablaze: Fire in Papakura Exhibition about fire fighters and the community they serve
May - June ANZAC Tribute Exhibition of Sandra Tolley's collection of ANZAC photographs featuring a painting display from the Papakura Art Group Featured the private collection of Sandra Tolley and work from the Papakura Art Group
August - October Harnessed Exhibition focused on the use of horses in battle during WWI Loaned by Waiouru National Army Museum
2014 - 2015 October - January Out in the Sticks Exhibition featuring images from Les Everett's photographic collection and museum artefacts Featured images from Les Everett's collection
2015 February - April Waikato Immigration Scheme - 13 Ships
May As We Saw It Exhibition on WWI featuring letters to and from the war front Access Point Building; Level 3; Military Gallery
August - October Walsh Brothers to War Birds Exhibition about the story of powered flight in Papakura Access Point Building; Level 3
2015 - 2016 November - February Putting on the Glitz Exhibition showcasing women's clothing
2016 March - May Art of War Exhibition of 28 paintings from Greg Moyle's collection Featured loaned paintings from collector Greg Moyle
June - August Open All Hours[10] The second edition of this exhibition on the story of shops, businesses, and storekeepers of Papakura's main street
September Awe and Respect
October Papakura Walkaway Project Display of 30 images with accompanying text in a covered walkway installed by the Papakura Local Board Access Point Building; walkway entrance from Great South Road
2017 February Ararimu 150 Display Out-reach loan of artefacts and display material for Ararimu's celebrations of 150 years
Mayors of Papakura Exhibition showcasing the Papakura Mayoral Chains and the history of the Papakura Mayoral position Access Point Building; Level 3
June - July Balls, Bullets and Boots Exhibition focussed on rugby during the war years Travelling exhibition by the New Zealand Rugby Museum
August - September Mokaa: The Land of Opportunity: Indians in New Zealand Exhibition celebrating 125 years of Indian New Zealanders Curated by the New Zealand Indian Central Association
August - October The Spirit of ANZAC Exhibition of New Zealand Post stamps and commemorative booklets
2017 - 2018 October - January Ardmore Teachers Training College Exhibition to commemorate 75 years since the college opened
2018 February - March From This Day Forward Exhibition featuring gowns donated to the museum in recognition of local romance from the 1920s - 1968
March - December Home Front Exhibition about experience of WWI in New Zealand and how the war changed everyday life
April - May AWMM Centotaph Digitisation Unit [First Digital Exhibition] Interactive online community cenotaph Loaned by the Auckland War Memorial Museum
June - July New Zealand v France l'Histoire Exhibition about he history of test matches between the All Blacks and France Loaned by the New Zealand Rugby Museum and in collaboration with Papakura Rugby Football Club and the Papakura Business Association
August - September Mt Felix Tapestry[12] Exhibition of a community tapestry of 44 panels telling the story of some of the 27,000 wounded soldiers that were treated at the No. 2 General Hospital at Mt Felix in Walton-on-Thames during WWI Travelling exhibition designed by Andrew Crummy in collaboration with the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre[13]
2018 - 2019 October - January Influenza Epidemic 1918 Exhibition about how the community pulled together to fight a deadly virus
December - January Papakura Art Gallery Display Exhibition of Christmas themed paintings, tapestries, and quilting from local artists
2019 February - March Built for Justice The second edition of the photographic exhibition looking at old courthouse buildings throughout the North Island Images and book courtesy of Terry Carson
April - May True Blue: A History of Papakura Police Exhibition on Papakura's first police officers from 1861 featuring Ladies in Blue, types of police transport used over the years, murder in the district, and police in the community today
June - July The Delicate Balance of Wobbling Stars Exhibition of stars woven from flax
July - August Looking Back 25 Years Exhibition of images of Papakura taken 25 years earlier by Trefor Ward
August - October Farmers Papakura 100th Anniversary Exhibition Exhibition in celebration of the opening of Farmers in Papakura
October 14–31 Skateboard Design Exhibition Exhibition of skateboards designed by Rosehill Year 11 Art and Design students to coincide with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Curated by Rosehill College Students
2019 - 2020 November - Late January Tracks and Stations Exhibition looking at the history of railway stations from Papatoetoe to Pukekohe
2020 late January - March Public and Private: Photographs of People Photographic exhibition Loaned by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
June - August Kupe Sites Exhibition of Great Voyager landmarks Travelling exhibition from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
September 7 - November 28 Art of War[14] Exhibition of war artists from the GJ Moyle collection Loaned from the GJ Moyle Collection
2020 - 2021 December - late February Buller's Birds Photographic exhibition Loaned from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
December - February "Harakeke" Papakura Museum kete were included in the "Harakeke" exhibition Items loaned to the Papakura Art Gallery Papakura Art Gallery
2021 March - July Warbirds Exhibition about warbirds In collaboration with the Warbirds Association at Ardmore and Ardmore Airport Ltd Access Point Building; Level 3
July - September Faka-Tokelau: Living with Change Photographic exhibition exploring Tokelau's unique way of life through the lenses of two New Zealand photographers, Glenn Jowitt and Andrew Matautia Loaned from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
2021 - 2022 December - February Life is a Game - Play It Exhibition of board games from those aimed at small children through to games for all ages
2022 February - early June Mighty Small Mighty Bright Exhibition of interactive science displays Loaned from the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
August Lens on Papakura Exhibition of work by local photographers and photographic artefacts from the museum collection
November Ukraine Fragments[15] A feature of the exhibition 'Ukraine Fragments', this exhibit featured a series of laser-cut etchings and figures created by Auckland schoolteacher, Jan Ubels in response to images of the Russian attacks on Ukraine beginning on 25 February, 2022. Works created by Jan Ubels
2022 - 2023 December 1 - March 4 SOARING![16] Exhibition about gliders and aviation with a focus on Papakura's unique connection to early aviation in Aotearoa In collaboration with Auckland Gliding Club
2023 March 16 - June 13 Anne Frank: Let Me Be Myself[17] Exhibition on Anne Frank's life and the history of the Holocaust with connections to contemporary struggles of marginalised people in Aotearoa and around the world Travelling exhibition by the Anne Frank House, Amsterdam in collaboration with the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand
July 14 - October 13 Tūrama[18] Exhibition on Matariki featuring art from multiple artists including Lissy and Rudi Cole Created by Hollie Tawhiao for the Papakura Museum
2023 - 2024 September 23 - October 2024 Home Fires Burning Exhibition on New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War and the impact of the war on families and South Auckland communities Put on alongside a talk with three veterans of the conflict as part of the Auckland heritage festival Access Point Building; Level 3; Military Gallery
November 2 -

March

Old School Tech[19] Interactive exhibition about how technology has changed over the 20th and 21st Centuries Curated by Anna Part with the help of Wendy Deeming and Kara Oosterman based on an idea from museum curator Alan Knowles Access Point Building; Level 3
2024 April 1 - May 25[20] Violet's Scarf Exhibition based on the children's book, Violet's Scarf, by author Colleen Brown. The exhibition and book are based on a true story about a girl from New Zealand, WWI, and the international journey of a hand-knitted scarf.
August 3 - 30[20] Solar Tsunamis - Parawhenua Koomaru Interactive science exhibit about space weather, aurora, and electricity aimed at children. On loan from the Tūhura Otago Museum

[6]

Publications

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The museum has been involved in the creation of several publications.[21]

To coincide with the opening of the fire station location of the museum, Breakwater Against the Tide was published.[6] The author, Elsdon Craig, details the history of Papakura.[22] Two years later in 1984, the museum published the first edition of Town Growing Up by Ernest Clarke, with a second edition published in 1993. In 1986, Clarke edited They Come and They Go which was a booklet published by the PDHS. Then in 1990, Big Hats, Scent Pots and Old Joe was published in conjunction with the Papakura Council for the New Zealand 1990 Project. In 1995, Papakura was declared a borough of Auckland, and the PDHS proposed that there should be a compiled history of the district from 1938 to the present.[6] In 1997, Papakura: The Years of Progress 1938 - 1997 was published to chronicle Papakura history starting with the population explosion that happened when men returning from WWII brought their families to the area.[23]

In 2011, the first edition of Open All Hours; Main Street Papakura c1865 - c1938 by Dr Michelle Ann Smith was published by the museum. This publication looks at the importance of the town's main street, as well as including information and anecdotes about some of the business owners and workers. The second edition was published in 2016. The next publications in 2015, Thirteen Ships - The Waikato Immigration Scheme, 1864 - 1865 and "Digging Up the Past: Papakura Cemetery Heritage Walk", were both published as part of the Auckland Council Heritage Festival that year. In 2016, Dr Michelle Smith published "About Town - Heritage Walk, Great South Road, Papakura" which was supplemented by a guided walking brochure that Rob Finlay created for the previous year's Heritage Festival.[6]

In 2020, a companion booklet was created for the 'Art of War' exhibit.[14] The next year Alibi Press published a children's book called The Takapuna Tram. Collated by Terry Carson, a poem by Elizabeth Welsman Dawson was used with illustrations by Elva Leaming. The book was designed by Anna Egan-Reid and produced by Mary Egan Publishing.[24] In 2022, "Lens on Papakura" was published as a companion book to the temporary exhibition of the same name that was held at the museum during the same time.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Clarke, Ernest, ed. (1986). They Come and They Go. Papakura, New Zealand: Papakura and Districts Historical Society Inc.
  2. ^ "Organisation details | Museums Aotearoa". www.museumsaotearoa.org.nz. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Papakura Museum - Local Exhibitions, Collections, Education & Research - Come Visit Today". www.papakuramuseum.org.nz. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Papakura Museum on NZ Museums". eHive. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Papakura library and museum building for sale". NZ Herald. 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Deeming, Wendy (August 2022). Papakura Museum: 50 years. Papakura and Districts Historical Society Inc.
  7. ^ "Papakura Museum - Index Cards". Auckland Council Libraries. 27 November 1982. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Curator, Papakura Museum, 1999". Auckland Council Libraries. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Digital Interactive – Papakura Museum". Art of Fact. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  10. ^ a b Smith, Michelle Ann (2016). "Open all hours : Main Street Papakura, c. 1865 - c. 1938".
  11. ^ a b "Home Fires Burning - Film". VietnamWar.govt.nz. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 20 August 2013 [2012-06-28]. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  12. ^ "A British tapestry remembers First World War Kiwi soldiers". RNZ. 29 July 2018. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Mt Felix Tapestry". Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Art of war: Papakura Museum". Auckland Museum. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  15. ^ "UKRAINE FRAGMENTS - Papakura Museum - Local Exhibitions, Collections, Education & Research - Come Visit Today". 7 December 2022. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Exhibitions - Papakura Museum - Local Exhibitions, Collections, Education & Research - Come Visit Today". 21 February 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Exhibitions - Papakura Museum - Local Exhibitions, Collections, Education & Research - Come Visit Today". 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Exhibitions - Papakura Museum - Local Exhibitions, Collections, Education & Research - Come Visit Today". 26 September 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Exhibitions - Papakura Museum - Local Exhibitions, Collections, Education & Reaserch - Come Visit Today". 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Exhibitions - Papakura Museum - Local Exhibitions, Collections, Education & Research - Come Visit Today". 23 April 2024. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  21. ^ "WorldCat Identities - Papakura Museum (N.Z.)". WorldCat. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  22. ^ Craig, E. W. G. (1982). Breakwater against the tide : a history of Papakura City and districts. Ernest Clarke, Papakura and Districts Historical Society. Auckland [N.Z.]: Ray Richards for the Papakura and Districts Historical Society. ISBN 0-908596-17-0. OCLC 35100267.
  23. ^ Yousef, Robyn (1997). Papakura : the years of progress, 1938-1996. Papakura and Districts Historical Society. [Papakura, N.Z.]: Papakura and Districts Historical Society. ISBN 0-473-04923-6. OCLC 45336067.
  24. ^ Welsman Dawson, Elizabeth (2021). The Takapuna tram. Elva Leaming, Terry Carson. [Pukekohe]. ISBN 978-0-473-57305-8. OCLC 1263575316.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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