# Papakura Museum

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. 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.

## History

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.
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.
In November 1982, after the fire brigade moved to new premises, the museum moved into the vacated fire station on Averill Street. Three years later in November 1985, the museum opened a research and archive room to researchers and anyone else interested in using this resource.
After several months of delays, the museum moved again and officially opened on August 31, 1999. 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.
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. This exhibit includes a touch-screen interactive display about the brothers' correspondence during their deployment.

## Exhibitions

| 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 | | 33 Coles Cresent |
| 1983 | | Handwriting | Special display | | 33 Coles Cresent |
| 1983 | November | | Exhibition of various types of handiwork | Loaned by the Papakura Country Women's Institute | 33 Coles Cresent |
| 1984 | July | | Exhibition on the Plunket Society's work in childcare | In collaboration with the Plunket Society | 33 Coles Cresent |
| 1984 | | Drury Mineral Resources | Special display | | 33 Coles Cresent |
| 1984 | 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 | | 33 Coles Cresent |
| 1985 | | Pharmaceutical Equipment | Special display | | 33 Coles Cresent |
| 1985 | | 75 Years of Special Aviation | Special display | | 33 Coles Cresent |
| 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 | | 33 Coles Cresent |
| 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 |
| 1990 | Heritage Week | New Zealand 1990 | 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 |
| 1992 | February | Celebration of 110th Anniversary of Waitangi | Object displays in 5 banks and 10 shops for Waitangi | | Local Papakura banks and shops |
| 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 |
| 2011 | 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2011 | August - September | Walsh Brothers | Photographic exhibition marking the centennial of the Walsh brothers' flight in Takanini | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2011 - 2012 | September - February | Open All Hours | Exhibition on the story of shops, businesses, and storekeepers of Papakura's main street from 1865 to 1938 | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2012 | April | 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 | In collaboration with the Papakura Art Gallery | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2012 | 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 | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2012 - 2013 | November - February | Sink or Swim | Exhibition on the history of bathing suits featuring examples from the last century | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2013 | March | Built for Justice | Photographic exhibition looking at old courthouse buildings throughout the North Island | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2013 | April - May | Mirror Magic | Fully interactive exhibition using mirrors to explore the science of reflections and reflected light | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2013 | June - July | In Our Backyard | Exhibition on the New Zealand Wars | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2014 | February - April | Treasures from the Past: Grandpa's Attic | Exhibition showcasing Ted Buising | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2014 | February - April | All Ablaze: Fire in Papakura | Exhibition about fire fighters and the community they serve | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2014 | 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2014 | August - October | Harnessed | Exhibition focused on the use of horses in battle during WWI | Loaned by Waiouru National Army Museum | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2015 | February - April | Waikato Immigration Scheme - 13 Ships | | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2015 | May | As We Saw It | Exhibition on WWI featuring letters to and from the war front | | Access Point Building; Level 3; Military Gallery |
| 2015 | 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 | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2016 | March - May | Art of War | Exhibition of 28 paintings from Greg Moyle's collection | Featured loaned paintings from collector Greg Moyle | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2016 | June - August | Open All Hours | The second edition of this exhibition on the story of shops, businesses, and storekeepers of Papakura's main street | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2016 | September | Awe and Respect | | | |
| 2016 | 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 | | |
| 2017 | February | Mayors of Papakura | Exhibition showcasing the Papakura Mayoral Chains and the history of the Papakura Mayoral position | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2017 | June - July | Balls, Bullets and Boots | Exhibition focussed on rugby during the war years | Travelling exhibition by the New Zealand Rugby Museum | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2017 | 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2017 | August - October | The Spirit of ANZAC | Exhibition of New Zealand Post stamps and commemorative booklets | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2017 - 2018 | October - January | Ardmore Teachers Training College | Exhibition to commemorate 75 years since the college opened | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2018 | February - March | From This Day Forward | Exhibition featuring gowns donated to the museum in recognition of local romance from the 1920s - 1968 | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2018 | March - December | Home Front | Exhibition about experience of WWI in New Zealand and how the war changed everyday life | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2018 | April - May | AWMM Centotaph Digitisation Unit [First Digital Exhibition] | Interactive online community cenotaph | Loaned by the Auckland War Memorial Museum | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2018 | 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2018 | August - September | Mt Felix Tapestry | 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2018 - 2019 | October - January | Influenza Epidemic 1918 | Exhibition about how the community pulled together to fight a deadly virus | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2018 - 2019 | December - January | Papakura Art Gallery Display | Exhibition of Christmas themed paintings, tapestries, and quilting from local artists | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2019 | 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 | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2019 | June - July | The Delicate Balance of Wobbling Stars | Exhibition of stars woven from flax | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2019 | July - August | Looking Back 25 Years | Exhibition of images of Papakura taken 25 years earlier by Trefor Ward | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2019 | August - October | Farmers Papakura 100th Anniversary Exhibition | Exhibition in celebration of the opening of Farmers in Papakura | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2019 | 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2019 - 2020 | November - Late January | Tracks and Stations | Exhibition looking at the history of railway stations from Papatoetoe to Pukekohe | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2020 | late January - March | Public and Private: Photographs of People | Photographic exhibition | Loaned by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2020 | June - August | Kupe Sites | Exhibition of Great Voyager landmarks | Travelling exhibition from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2020 | September 7 - November 28 | Art of War | Exhibition of war artists from the GJ Moyle collection | Loaned from the GJ Moyle Collection | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2020 - 2021 | December - late February | Buller's Birds | Photographic exhibition | Loaned from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2020 - 2021 | 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 |
| 2021 | 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 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 | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2022 | February - early June | Mighty Small Mighty Bright | Exhibition of interactive science displays | Loaned from the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2022 | August | Lens on Papakura | Exhibition of work by local photographers and photographic artefacts from the museum collection | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2022 | November | Ukraine Fragments | 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2022 - 2023 | December 1 - March 4 | SOARING! | Exhibition about gliders and aviation with a focus on Papakura's unique connection to early aviation in Aotearoa | In collaboration with Auckland Gliding Club | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2023 | March 16 - June 13 | Anne Frank: Let Me Be Myself | 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 | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2023 | July 14 - October 13 | Tūrama | Exhibition on Matariki featuring art from multiple artists including Lissy and Rudi Cole | Created by Hollie Tawhiao for the Papakura Museum | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 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 |
| 2023 - 2024 | November 2 - March | Old School Tech | 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 | 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. | | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2024 | August 3 - 30 | Solar Tsunamis - Parawhenua Koomaru | Interactive science exhibit about space weather, aurora, and electricity aimed at children. | On loan from the Tūhura Otago Museum | Access Point Building; Level 3 |
| 2024 - 2025 | September 3 - January 31 | Dearly Beloved | Exhibition on the history of the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic churches in Papakura. | Curated by Tyler Ross-Doone with items on loan from Papakura churches. | Access Point Building; Level 3 |

## Publications

The museum has been involved in the creation of several publications.
To coincide with the opening of the fire station location of the museum, Breakwater Against the Tide was published. The author, Elsdon Craig, details the history of Papakura. 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. 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.
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.
In 2020, a companion booklet was created for the 'Art of War' exhibit. 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. 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.