Forty-four years ago pubs were no longer legally required to close at 6pm (9 October 1967) From December 1917, hotels had to close at 6pm. This was supposed to be a temporary war-time measure. Opening hours were reduced to encourage workers’ efficiency. This restriction partly effected the aims of temperanceRead more
As we build up to the much anticipated December opening of Unveiled: 200 Years of Wedding Fashion from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, it is time to ‘unveil’ our three New Zealand designers! As part of the exhibition Te Papa has commissioned three very different New Zealand designers to create theirRead more
Slice of Heaven has been on open for a year now. This means that some of the light-sensitive paper and textile exhibition items have had their full quota of light exposure and have to come off display. This includes this majestic coatee, pictured above, that Premier Richard Seddon wore toRead more
Phar Lap’s skeleton is one of Te Papa’s best known exhibits. Perhaps the most famous horse ever to emerge from Australasia, the national identity of Phar Lap is as intensely debated each side of the Tasman as is who invented the pavlova. Foaled at Seadown, near Timaru, in 1926, PharRead more
During my time as intern at Te Papa, I have been working to try to discover the identities of the sitters who appear in a collection of photographic portraits held in the museum’s collection. The portraits depict soldiers who had their photographs taken at the studio of Berry & Co.Read more
I have recently returned from a long weekend in Melbourne. I popped over primarily to see the exhibition Vienna: Art + Design at the National Gallery of Victoria (which was well worth it), but also took the opportunity to catch up on some of Victoria’s other wonderful offerings, including the JohnstonRead more
57 years ago the Mazengarb report is released (20 September 1954). In 1954, several shocking events occurred that fuelled a simmering panic about the activities and morals of New Zealand teenagers. These included revelations that some Hutt Valley teens were having sex. Over 50 local teenagers were observed congregating at Elbe’sRead more
During my internship with the Te Papa History Team, I have been working to try to identify the sitters who appear in a number of photographic portraits which are held in the museum’s collection. Using military personnel files, databases and online resources I have tried to discover more information aboutRead more
A wonderful group of puppets, made and used by the Burton Theatre of Puppets, are about to go on display in the Inspiration Station Discovery Centre at Te Papa. From the 5th October a new generation of children are set to be inspired by puppets used in a show calledRead more
In my work as an intern with the History Department here at Te Papa, one of the objects I’ve had the opportunity to work on is a memorial banner commemorating New Zealand soldiers from the First World War. I have been working to add more detail to the museum’s recordsRead more
This week I am attending my first ever full Fashion Week. A Fashion Week that might, according to newspaper reports, be New Zealand’s last – at least while the recession digs its toes in. Yesterday I attended two shows that while wildly diverse reflect two aspects of current activity atRead more
As an intern with the History Department at Te Papa, I have been given the challenging task of researching the sitters who appear in a number of photographic portraits held in the collection. Looking closely at some of the pictures, it seems that the images contained on the museum’s glassRead more
As an intern with the History Department at Te Papa, I have been given the challenging task of researching the sitters who appear in a number of photographic portraits held in the collection. Read more about the Berry & Co. collection My task is to try to identify the soldiersRead more
“Your humanity is more powerful than any act of nature.” – John Key On 4 September a year will have passed since the first large earthquake rocked Canterbury and the nation. To mark this event and the significant effect it has had on New Zealanders’ lives we would like to invite you toRead more
56 years ago New Zealanders celebrate victory over Japan (15 August 1945) The photo below shows people celebrating VJ (Victory over Japan) Day in Wellington. It was taken by John Pascoe, who was employed by the government to photograph life in New Zealand during World War Two. The day markedRead more
