We are currently in the throes of preparing for our upcoming exhibition New Zealand in Vogue, which opens in the Eyelights Gallery on 24 June. The exhibition is inspired by the decade during which New Zealand had its very own Vogue magazine – 1957 to 1968. The exhibition features garmentsRead more
Model Tooth (Human), 1900s, Maker unknown. Gift of the Wellington School Dental Service Training School, Department of Health, 1994. Te Papa 90 years ago: the first intake of School Dental Service nurses began their training (4 April 1921). The School Dental Service was a response to theRead more
As the day of the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton draws near, Te Papa too has found itself in the grip of ‘wedding fever’. While the media continues to whip themselves into a frenzy trying to uncover the bride’s best kept secret – the name of her dressRead more
The New Zealand Costume & Textile Association is a special interest group for the research and study of costume and textiles. Its membership draws together some of the country’s leading artists, curators, academics, researchers and textile conservators, along passionate collectors and enthusiasts. The annual symposium is a highlight of the organisation’sRead more
The museum sector is currently gearing up to its annual conference in Nelson in a couple of weeks. I am particularly excited about this year’s conference as one of my most favourite historians is making an appearance as a keynote speaker – Annabel Westman. Annabel is also going to present three publicRead more
I am currently working on a fashion exhibition entitled New Zealand in Vogue, the content and layout of which is inspired by Vogue New Zealand, which graced magazine stands between 1957 and 1968. Each case is inspired by a Vogue headline. One of my favourites is ‘Unbeatable All-Blacks’ – aRead more
As the History Team prepares to bring out William Colenso’s magnificent printing press for the forthcoming exhibition Oceania – Early Encounters (opening 6 August 2011), I am reminded that the Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery are planning ‘to celebrate the life and ideas of Colenso – one of the fathersRead more
102 years ago: Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward announces that New Zealand will gift a ‘first-class battleship’ to the Royal Navy (22 March 1909). Prime Minister Ward was positioning New Zealand as a loyal and active participant in the defence of the British Empire. This was a time of increasing navalRead more
This pair of boots belonged to historian Dame Judith Binney, who will be remembered for her monumental contributions to New Zealand history over the last four decades through her writing, research and teaching. These boots were the historian’s favourites, and had a colourful history of their own. The question is: whoRead more
Tīkoki ana te waka o Aoraki! Ko Rūaumoko e ngunguru nei! He parekura! He parekura! He parekura e! Ko te motu whānui tonu kua pani. Kei te hunga kua riro ki te pō, moe mai rā. Kei ngā makorea, he aha rā he kōrero mō koutou? Ko te Atua heiRead more
Kia ora kotou Dr Hamish Campell has just sent through an article he has written for the NZ Herald. The text is reproduced in full below. Hamish is Senior Scientist at GNS Science and is Te Papa’s geological advisor. Bill Fry, GNS Science Seismologist, also explains Tuesday’s catastrophic events in thisRead more
Empire Games are held in Auckland, 4-11 February 1950 The cup above was produced by Crown Lynn as a souvenir of the Auckland games, which 590 athletes from 12 nations attended. New Zealand came third in the medal tally with 54 medals: 10 gold, 22 silver and 22 bronze. GoldsRead more
Yesterday seven items were taken out of the cases in Te Papa’s exhibition: Enriching Fashion: an eye for detail on level 4. In the photograph below a jaunty two-piece playsuit from the 1960s is removed from a case and replaced with a one-piece bathing suit that is almost a hundredRead more
When I first moved to Wellington I used to walk around the bays of the Mirimar Peninsula. My favourite bay was Worser Bay. I liked its name (worser than what?) but primarily I liked it because of a modest, single story house. The house was ordinary in everyway except forRead more
As a curator at Te Papa, I am also on the committee of the Costume & Textile Association of NZ – a membership organisation that includes museum and fashion professionals, craftspeople, writers, and others who share a stronger than average interest in all aspects of clothing and dress! With myRead more
