A Call for Kiwiana

Dr. Claudia Bell, a sociologist at the University of Auckland, is researching Kiwiana. Her project's aim is to explore why things that were once common, everyday items (the Buzzy Bee toy and Weetbix tins) have became valuable collector's items, and how this relates to NZ identity. She will be talking to people all over NZ about their private Kiwiana collections.

If you have a private collection or are a curator of Kiwiana and would like to talk about it, email Dr. Bell.

We're open Wednesdays and Sundays, 2pm-4pm, and by request. Your comments are always welcome!

New Art & Heritage Displays

Student Artwork
Otautau School students, ages 9 to 13, visited the Southland Museum a while back and then set brush to paper. The result is a very colourful array of paintings, photographs and sketches of their impressions of the place. This exhibition is proudly displayed in our middle room.

(Pictured above right: Penguin on the Sand by Jake DeClifford, age 12.)

Local Transport: from horses gigs to big rigs
We've also got a small photographic display of local transport through the years. This includes some of the firms noted in our dairy and sheep industries as well as ones like the Otautau Bakery featured left. The display also highlights that driving wasn't just for men.

(Pictured above left: A delivery van for Laing's Bakery with driver, Fred Hill holding Ron Bye.)

We're open Wednesdays and Sundays, 2pm-4pm, and by request. Your comments are always welcome!