Roman Machines

Roman Machines

Julius Caesar - Military Genius & Mighty Machines

6 April to 30 June 2013

Do you remember the Da Vinci Machines exhibition? Nearly 25,000 people attended that exhibition at the Nelson Provincial Museum in 2007/2008.

From 6 April to 30 June 2013, we will be staging the followup to that wonderful hands-on display as we examine the machines used by Julius Caesar. These machines, used for both military and civilian engineering feats, have left a legacy for all time. Sign up for information about the exhibition and be in the draw for a free FAMILY PASS every week through till the exhibition opens. Teachers can sign up and be in the draw for a FREE CLASS VISIT. Visit www.romanmachines.co.nz to go into the draw.

Coming Soon

Lynley Dodd - A Retrospective

20 July - 29 September 2013

Lynley Dodd - A Retrospective

A selection of images from Lynley Dodd's books, from the earliest to the most recent. This exhibition of original drawings, celebrates the work of one of New Zealand's most well known writers and illustrators of children's books.

Exhibition developed by Tauranga Art Gallery. Supported by Guardian Trust and K.D. Kirkby Trust. Toured by Exhibition Services Ltd.

Kanohi ki te kanohi

A brief history of contact between Maori and European pre -1842 and an introduction to the New Zealand Company's concept of the Nelson settlement

There will be hands-on investigation of artefacts associated with needs of Maori and European and there will be discussion of the changes brought about by the introduction of European objects and ideas. Objectives from the Social Sciences curriculum will be met as students start to understand how cultural practices vary but reflect similar purposes.

Dramatic presentations of first contact will be part of the programme. These will match curriculum objectives from The Arts - Drama where students will initiate and develop ideas with others to create drama.

Available for all levels.

World Musical Instruments


Bolivian Dancing rattles made from the hooves of Alpaca. :NPM2012.48.19.1

The museum was gifted a collection of World Instruments by Richard Nunns and education has access to them. We have designed a programme to showcase the collection and to develop the following educational objectives:

Understanding Music in Context. Students will identify and investigate characteristics of music associated with particular contexts purposes and styles in past and present cultures.

Culture and Heritage. Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how practices of Technological Knowledge. Students will understand that there is a relationship between a material used and its performance properties in a technological product.

Available for all levels.

Our permanent programmes

Walks around Nelson

City Walk - all age groups - Social Sciences

This walk takes you up Trafalgar Street and into South Street and to the Shelbourne Street Cemetery. Students move in groups with a parent using laminated books of photographs of Nelson of the past. Stories of the old city are told and students complete a worksheet as a record of the programme.

World Around the Corner Walk - Yrs 3 - 6 - English

This walk traces the setting of Maurice Gee's book World Around the Corner. Students need to have had the book read to them before they come on the walk. A teacher's guide is available on request.

Bishops School

Yes it is back in action!!! This wonderful living resource is right on our doorstep and can enhance your social studies programme. It is also perfect if you are celebrating a centenary or significant anniversary of your school.

You can book your class to have a lesson at Bishops school. The session is about one and a quarter hours long.

The cost for this programme is a gold coin.

Maori Programmes

Nga Koiora a Raranga - Yrs 1 - 5

Our wonderful stained glass window is used as a focus for this programme. Students will learn some of the natural history and the legends of the creatures depicted. Objects from our collection will be used to support the programme. Students will then make their own 'stained glass' images.

Nga Iwi Te Tau Ihu - Yrs 3 - 10 (enhanced for senior classes)

This programme includes the waves of migration, the naming of local iwi and their origins, local stories, and viewing and responding to artifacts and images that represent local iwi.

Tauira - Pattern Yrs 0 - 8

Students learn about the structure of the wharenui, the patterns inside it and some of the protocols associated with a visit to a marae. Students design their own kowhaiwhai and tukutuku having heard some local legends.

Other Programmes and Classroom Resources

The following programmes and classroom resources are also available;

Years 7 - 10 Programmes

Bones of our Land

This programme takes place at the museum and takes 1 1/2 hours.

Science - Planet Earth and Beyond
L2/3 explore and describe resources such as rocks.
L4 develop an understanding that rocks are one of the earth's resources.

Opportunities for learning include

  • investigating the origins rocks and rock formations of Te Tau Ihu, eg Boulder Bank, Farewell Spit, Mt Arthur, Caves in limestone.
  • gathering information by hands-on investigation of rocks. Developing ideas about texture, grain size, colour, density and use.
  • gathering information about fossils found in the Nelson region.
  • modelling rock forming processes and sorting rocks into groups, eg sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous.
  • gathering information about use of non-renewable resources such as iron ore extraction at Onekaka, copper and chromite mining at Dun Mt, gold in the Aorere, pakohe (Argillite) for tools.
  • Investigating Maori tools made with pakohe.

Click here for a fuller explanation of the programme at the museum

The Champion Copper Smelter

This programme includes a field trip to the Champion Smelter accessed through Aniseed Valley. The walk from the end of the road to the smelter is about one and a half hours.

ScienceL4 Earth Systems
Chemistry and Society
Social Studies L4 How exploration and innovation create opportunities

Click here for a fuller explanation of the programme at the museum

What's happening at Tahuna Beach?

Tahuna Beach is barely 100 years old. This programme involves a field trip to Tahuna beach. Students are provided with photographs and booklets to help them interpret the changes that have taken place and the dynamic nature of a beach.

Social Studies L3 Understand how people view and use places differently

Click here for a fuller explanation of the programme at the museum

Years 11 - 13 Progammes

Coastal Processes in Southern Tasman Bay

The programme contributes to year 13 Geography

NCEA AS 90701 3.1 Analyse a geographic environment focusing on the interacting Natural Processes

NCEA AS 90705 3.5 Carry out geographic research with consultation.

This programme involves fieldwork at two sites on two days: The Boulder Bank, a full day and Tahuna Beach, a half day.

Click here for a fuller explanation of the programme at the museum

Murder on the Maungatapu

This walk contributes to Year 13 History

NCEA AS 90654 3.1 Plan and carry out independent historical research.

NCEA AS 90655 3.2 Communicate historical ideas.

This programme starts at the museum and proceeds to Bridge Street and to the courthouse before returning to view the Maungatapu exhibits in the museum.

Students are issued with laminated booklets of photographs to support their investigation.

The walk lasts about 1 hour leaving approx 15minutes in the museum.

Click here for a fuller explanation of the programme at the museum

When the Earth Moves

This printable resource has a teachers guide that includes photographs photographs and a DVD is available to borrow from the museum.

Objectives for yr 9-11

Science - Planet Earth and Beyond
Social Studies - Social Organisation
NCEA: Geography A.S. 1.1 Examine extreme natural events
Geography U.S 5083 Natural hazards
  • Viewing images and hearing stories about the Inangahua and Murchison earthquakes. (Primary sources for research)
  • Discussing the sequence of events that produced them.
  • Learning about the way in which people respond to crisis.
  • Describing these earthquakes as geological events and as hazards.

Download the PDF here

NCEA AS90654

Carry out independent Historical Research (3.1)

Year 13 History: New Zealand in the 19th Century

The resource is designed as a model for independent research. The subject of this research is Sarah Greenwood.

The notes include ideas from these sections of the curriculum: Maori and Pakeha Relations, Economic and Political Change, Society and Attitudes

Download the PDF here

NCEA History AS90656

Examine evidence in Historical Resources (3.3)

This resource supports a programme in which students practice the use of historical resources related to the examination style in externally assessed achievement standard AS90656.

The programme may be conducted by museum educators or by the classroom teacher at the museum.

The artefacts and images used are all in the downstairs gallery and have been selected to match themes that students should be familiar with. They can also be used as triggers to teach material related to these themes.

Download the PDF here

Patterns of Evolution

These notes contribute to a programme for Yrs 12 and 13 Biology. The programme takes place at Natureland.

NCEA L2 AS 90459 Concepts and processes involved in genetic variation and change

NCEA L3 AS 90717 Patterns of Evolution

Students investigate the animals on display and gain information about their evolution.

Download the PDF here

Contact Information

Nicki, John and Cindy
Museum Education
DDI: 03 5456613
Fax: 03 5489589
email: education@museumnp.org.nz