Powelliphanta are the giant endemic land snails found mainly in our region, Te Tau Ihu.
These spectacular, carnivorous land snails reach both their maximum size and numbers of species here.
These snails are endangered and in rapid decline and this exhibition will highlight these problems and engender public support and advocacy for their conservation.
Shahr-e-Ghulghula Hill, Flight Sergeant Chris Weisserborn - Courtesy: New Zealand Defence Force
This exhibition explores the history and culture of this strife-ridden region through photographic images. Bamiyan - the heart of Afghanistan also brings to life the stories and experiences of the people living in Bamiyan. It is presented through the eyes of the locals together with interviews and images of New Zealanders working with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan Province.
Since end of 2001, the New Zealand Government has provided a Provincial Reconstruction Team in the province of Bamiyan comprising Defence Force personnel, N.Z. Police and NZAID development programmes.
This exhibition celebrates the Friendly City relationship between Porirua City and Bamiyan. The exhibition gives an insight to the history of Bamiyan, the landscape, the people and their culture. It also showcases the work of New Zealand's Provincial Reconstruction Team in the province of Bamiyan.
Bamiyan is the main town in the namesake Bamiyan Province. It was the home of the giant Buddha's of Bamiyan which were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. An isolated city, Bamiyan is located about 240 km west of Kabul. A calm and serene city, Bamiyan lies in the lap of nature depicting the extraordinary cultural diversity of Afghanistan. The Bamiyan valley is said to be the most picturesque area in the region.
Duk Duks, members of a secret society based in the Rabaul area, make their way through
forest covered with ash from the nearby Tavurvur volcano during a ceremony to celebrate
the life of a local big man. Papua New Guinea, 2008 Photograph Layne Stevenson.
Windows to another world explores the diverse cultures of the Pacific, Africa and Asia through 50 remarkable amateur photographs taken by VSA volunteers and staff over 50 years of volunteering abroad.
See photographs that will intrigue and inspire you. Through the eyes of New Zealand volunteers you'll discover compelling and engaging stories that tell of real life in these rich and varied cultures. Get a unique insight into what it is like to live and work as a volunteer in a developing country and see for yourself the culture, sights and life in countries that range from Nepal and Thailand, Zambia and South Africa to Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
Thomas Cawthron arrived in Nelson in 1849, at the age of 15. Ninety years after endowing the facility that bears his name, the Cawthron Institute is leading scientific research in fields as broad as food quality, aquaculture, water quality and bio-security. To celebrate the 90th anniversary, the Cawthron Institute Trust Board funded the Museum to create an exhibition that brought this science and technology to public attention in a way that was both enjoyable and educational.
To view an archived version of the Extraordinary Frontiers exhibition web page click here
On a three year National tour, the Anne Frank travelling Exhibition from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, has been telling Frank's story through family photos and excerpts from her diary, to thousands of New Zealanders.
The story represents the many Jews in the Holocaust. The Franks spent two years in hiding during WWII in the secret annex at the rear of an office building. Anne's diary became very famous, tracking their life through the war, right through to their betrayal that led to concentration camps and eventually death. Only the father, Otto, survived.
The exhibition uses eleven large panels with a timeline encompassing a general history of World War II and the Holocaust on one side with Anne's personal story on the other, giving the visitors an idea of how the story relates to worldwide events.
Peter Bush and Keith Quinn at the opening of Hard
on the Heels 13 May 2011
Peter Bush started working on the sidelines as a young cadet for the New Zealand Herald in 1949, at a game between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. Since then, he has photographed hundreds of matches at home and overseas, enjoying privileged access to the All Black teams, both on and off the field.
According to Bush, photographing the All Blacks was "a total workout". In the early days, he often donned football boots and chased the players from the sidelines to get the crucial shot - a proximity to the action that is now impossible in the era of professional rugby. In the era before satellite television, his wired photographs were some of the first images of far-off matches to be seen by local fans.
Peter Bush's photographs range from the controversial to humorous behind-the-scenes moments and feature All Black legends, from Sir Brian Lochore, Bob Scott and Sir Wilson Whineray, to Ian Kirkpatrick, Sir Colin Meads, Graham Mourie and Jonah Lomu, along with star players from other rugby nations.
The exhibition also included a set of mural sized works and a DVD in which Peter Bush recounted the stories behind his iconic images.
Bush's work has appeared in countless publications worldwide, and he has also published three books. His biography Peter Bush: A Life in Focus was published in 2009.
Port Nelson, Haven Ahoy! was based on transcripts of diaries and logbooks held in our archives at the Research Facility at Isel Park. They tell us about daily life on board early migrant ships. The text of the exhibition was largely taken directly from the diaries. These were real thoughts of real people undertaking amazing voyages. What is clear from reading the stories is that they left a country where opportunities were few and far between for a life that involved promises that would be hard won and against significant odds. The voyages themselves often involved incredible hardship and there are stories associated with some voyages that are so harrowing it is hard to believe the human spirit is so resilient.
To view an archived version of the Port Nelson Haven Ahoy exhibition web page click here
Originally created as a travelling roadshow the exhibition was created to engage the public in contemporary issues and developments around food in New Zealand. The overall aim was to get people thinking and talking about food, and about the choices they face in deciding the future of food. This interactive multimedia exhibition used software and large touch screens to engage with audiences both young and old.
Over the years, YMCA Nelson activities and programmes have been life-changing to many, as the organisation strove to respond to community needs and provide services for men, women and children. The YMCA clebrated its 150 years of service to the Nelson/Tasman Region in 2010.
TREATY 2 U tells the story of New Zealand's founding document: the Treaty of Waitangi. It covers the events that led up to the Treaty. It explains what is written in the documents, and the crucial differences between the Maori and English versions.
Shelter from the Storm was based on the experience of New Zealand soldiers in Crete during World War 2. It focused on people rather than on fighting and the stories were told from the point of view of the Cretan population. The stories were based on research by Marina Bennett a teacher at Waimea Intermediate. As part of her research Marina travelled to Crete to follow up stories told to her by her Cretan mother. Marina met with elderly Cretan villagers who had been involved in helping look after NZ soldiers, feeding them, tending to their wounds and helping them evade capture until they could be rescued by British ships.
This exhibition celebrated the life of New Zealand's first Chinese Immigrant and early Nelson settler Wong Ah Poo Hoc Ting also known as Appo Hocton.
Appo Hocton, New Zealand's first naturalised Chinese immigrant, arrived in Nelson in 1842, within months of its settlement. As a nine-year-old, Wong Ah Poo Hoc Ting left South China to become a cabin boy on English sailing ships. In his early 20s he was a steward on the immigrant ship, the Thomas Harrison, bound for New Zealand.
After jumping ship in Nelson he was employed by the vessel's former surgeon, Thomas Renwick, as a housekeeper, saving enough to buy a bullock team and establish a carting business. His successful assimilation into colonial New Zealand society is illustrated in references from influential men which accompanied his successful application for naturalisation, thus enabling him to buy property. Marriage and children to two European women followed as Appo became in turn a property developer, fungus and scrap iron dealer, and farmer. Described as a gentleman upon his death in 1920, Appo Hocton's story is one of migration, diversity, integration and acceptance.
Sounds Amazing is a hands-on exploration of sound and music.
This exhibition comes from the same people that created the widely acclaimed
Body in Action exhibition which delighted nearly 30,000 people. A feature
of this exhibition will be the programme of live music we are putting together each
weekend of the exhibition. By popular demand families will be able to buy a season
ticket and come back as often as they like. The exhibition opened during the Arts Festival on the 23rd of October 2009 and closes on Waitangi weekend 2010. We have some special treats in mind so
'stay tuned' to our email newsletters and to our media partners for this exhibition
- Classic Hits FM.
"...There are many ways of making music but regardless of the instrument, all create vibrations in the air that we can hear as sound. When we play a musical instrument we make part of it vibrate rapidly and this creates sound waves in the air which we hear as music, depending a bit on how well the instrument is played!..."
Returning in the spring, there are at least 15 species of native butterflies to be found in our gardens, parks, and wild places. Like much of our wildlife their numbers have, by all accounts, dwindled - so much so that many people are unaware of the diversity or even existence of native species.
Returning butterflies to their former numbers is one focus of the exhibition, through the simple, practical steps that gardeners and landowners can take. The exhibition also explores: our butterfly biodiversity; how to recognise them; where they are to be found in the Nelson region; features of their biology; and recent threats to their survival.
Return visits are made by a handful of migrant species that cross the Tasman most years and regularly appear in the Nelson region - an added bonus for butterfly watchers! We show you what to look out for.
On view will be live specimens of some native species in various life stages.
NZ Fossils Dead Precious was a national touring exhibition in association with GNS Science and Shell which showcased and celebrated New Zealand fossils as indicators and predictors of things such as climate change, evolution, natural disasters and mineral deposits.
To view an archived version of the NZ Fossils Dead Precious exhibition web page click here
Described by many scientists as "the father of New Zealand geology" Ferdinand von Hochstetter arrived in this country in 1858 as a member of an Austrian scientific expedition and spent most of his time in this country describing and mapping newly discovered mineral fields.
In 1859 The Nelson Provincial Government invited Hochstetter to investigate the region's mineral deposits and report on their potential for commercial use.
The Hochstetter exhibition traced the work of this remarkable young scientist during his visit to New Zealand. It included reproductions of his watercolours and maps and contained some of the original specimens he arranged for the Nelson Institute on display.
To view an archived version of the Hochstetter exhibition web page click here
Our Stories was a joint project sponsored by IHC and CCS Disability Action. It was a unique opportunity to create a new level of awareness and dialogue around the lives of people living with disabilities. The exhibition featured 72 black and white images by photographer Hanne Johnsen reflecting a diversity of people living with disabilities.
To view an archived version of the Our Stories exhibition web page click here
Body in Action was a fun interactive exhibition from Palmerston North's Te Manawa Museums Trust. Loaded with entertaining interactive exhibits and activities the Body in Action exhibition used a fun fair theme to take children on a journey of scientific discovery around the human body.
To view an archived version of our Body in Action web page click here
This fascinating exhibition revealed and explored the museum's collection of historical costume, including some of the earliest garments worn by women living in Nelson during settlement of the province.
The exhibition was curated by Paula Haines-Bellamy and was based on research conducted for her, University of Otago, Master of Consumer and Applied Sciences thesis.
The exhibition was the 2009 winner of the Selecon Award for Exhibition Excellence presented at the Museums Aotearoa Conference held in Gisborne, April 2009. The award is presented for an outstanding new exhibition that contributes to best practice in the museum sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, and demonstrates excellence, relevance and vision particularly in lighting design.
The award citation reads as follows:
This exhibition of costumes succeeds in highlighting individual dresses, their design, technology, creation, use, wearers and history, telling their own story in their own right, while also contextualising and personalising them. It exemplifies how detailed object-based research enables our material culture to provide unexpected and meaningful insights into a community's cultural history and social connections.
Da Vinci Machines - an Exhibition of Genius was one of the most successful international exhibitions to come to the Nelson/Tasman region. The exhibition featured a number of intricate and exquisitely crafted wooden working models made to da Vinci's designs by Florentine artisans, Teknoart s.r.l. The exhibition also included drawings, books and interactive audio visual displays of da Vinci's works of genius.
To view an archived version of our Da Vinci Machines web page click here
This exhibition featured items from the museum collection, 100 loan items from private lenders, other museum and community groups.
This exhibition explored the long history of protest in Nelson and how protest has made a difference.
New Zealand has a liberal history where protest is an accepted part of life and community. The Nelson and Tasman region has its own history of people standing up for what they believe in.
Vigorous debate, public gatherings and demonstrations were part of the development of the new settlement of Nelson. The earliest Nelson protests were the New Zealand Company Strikes of 1842 and 1843 where settlers took action over land and labour issues. At the Wairau in 1843 there was loss of life over land issues.
While protests may reflect international and national movements such as racism, war, environmental issues, others are uniquely Nelson. In 1955 there was a final desperate protest against the Nelson railway closure and protests against the development of Nelson Haven continue today.
Clay was the first comprehensive craft based exhibition staged at the new museum. This exhibition concentrated on showing the breadth of Nelson's studio pottery, contemporary practice, and the historical context of studio pottery in Nelson. Loan collections of historical items along with photographic montages from the museum's collection were displayed.
This exhibition was developed in partnership with the Nelson Potters Association (NPA)
All content, research, design, development and installation were carried out by the collection and exhibition team at the museum with the involvement of the NPA. Over 300 items were on display, along with historical film and photographs. Contemporary works were available for sale. NPA assisted with a contribution to the cost of the exhibition.
A hands on programme ran concurrently with the exhibition. Children were able to try working with clay at Macmillan’s Pottery in Richmond. 636 children took part in this LEOTC programme.
While there is some evidence that the use of clay may date back to early Maori settlement, the history of clay use in Nelson is a European one. Brickfields were in existence as early as 1842 and there were many brickmakers and bricklayers listed among the early immigrants. As building began, clay mining and brick making were widespread activities all over the region. At the Kaka Clay Mine sites, beyond Tapawera and at Puramahoi and Para Para in Golden Bay, clay pits were developed. At Paramahoi clay was hand dug by the McPherson family.
Clay, pottery and potters, are part of the creative essence of Nelson.
While the Nelson Brick and Pipe Works supplied a limited amount of ornamental ware, it was not until the 1950's, with the arrival in Nelson of Mirek Smisek, that the history of domestic and creative pottery production began. Ian McPherson worked with Mirek to develop clays suitable for throwing and studio pottery production began in earnest. Through Mirek's popular Nelson Technical School classes and night classes many potters began their careers. Classes also started in Mapua and participation continued to grow.
In the 1960s the arrival of significant practitioners strengthened pottery in Nelson. In 1962 Harry and May Davis arrived from Cornwall, along with their family and Stephen Carter, their apprentice of four years. In 1964 Jack and Peggy Laird arrived and, with local encouragement, established Waimea Craft Pottery. An innovative apprenticeship scheme offering training in a workshop environment began there. Apprentices included Royce McGlashen, Paul Laird, John and Anne Crawford, Darryl Robertson and Jon Benge among others.
Independent groups such as the Nelson Potters Association, Craft Potters Nelson, Motueka Pottery Workshop and Nelson Community Potters were started in the 1970s and still form a firm foundation for marketing and promoting today's practitioners and continue to strengthen pottery in the region.
The 1960s and 1970s have been described by many as the halcyon days of pottery. Early homegrown television such as Close to Home and Country Calendar all featured New Zealand domestic pottery either as part of the set or in use. Although importing of domesticware has changed the pottery scene in New Zealand, Nelson remains renowned for its pottery and ceramics. Practitioners of national standing reside here. Nelson pottery continues to grow as a vital and innovative, creative industry.
Glass Plate Camera: NP6325
The first European settlers in Nelson were just as enthusiastic about summer here as we are now. Balmy weather, the ripening harvest, cooling off at the beach or river; it's the Nelson lifestyle. It's a lucky coincidence that the development of the new Nelson settlement happened at the same time as the rapid development of photography.
Among the developing businesses of the new settlement were Nelson's first professional photographers. They were adventurers working with new technology, changing the way we saw ourselves.
The process of photography was mysterious and the cameras were large and impressive. Explosive flashes were emitted and the photographer was hidden under the black back cloth. Having a photo taken was an event in itself, blending art, science and showmanship! In the 1880s cameras became more portable and affordable and processes faster and less cumbersome, enabling more photographers and photojournalists to record life and events around them. The exhibition explored the recording of over a hundred summers by many of Nelson's early photographers. The photographs exhibited were are part of the renowned collection of over 1.4 million images held at The Nelson Provincial Museum.
Lillian Murrow, 2, with her doll Margo visited the Many Me's mirror at the BeDazzled - The Magic of Mirrors exhibition at The Nelson Provincial Museum. Photo by Marion Van Dijk, The Nelson Mail
Bedazzled was a fun and ineteractive exhibition that explored the world of light and mirrors. Concave, convex, flat, multiple and moving mirrors and lenses featured alongside kaleidoscopes and a "build-it-yourself" periscope. Visitors were challenged to decode some anamorphic art, see their portrait in a mirrored sphere and try to mirror-write.
The exhibition was developed and toured by Te Manawa Museums Trust and was very popular with families and children.1459 children visited through the LEOTC programme, making this our most visited short term exhibition to date.
The exhibition helped the museum meet its goal of providing stimulating interactive exhibitions for the region's families.
The Nelson Provincial Museum and the Chamber of Commerce combined resources to develop an exhibition of more than 100 photographs with stories of the people and companies who breathed life into Nelson's business community for 150 years.
The Chamber was involved in almost every aspect of the growing province from the development of road, rail, sea and air networks, which opened up the province, to early Chamber members such as Samuel Kirkpatrick (K.Jams) and F.G Gibbs who sought to promote Nelson, not only as a tourist destination, but a good place to do business.
The exhibition told the stories of some of Nelson's earliest business forefathers such as: E. Buxton and Co (general merchant store), Wilkins and Field, (hardware store), Newmans Transport (horse drawn transport to Cadillacs to 50 seater luxury coaches), Joseph Dodson (Nelson Breweries) and Robert Lucas (Nelson Evening Mail).
Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce had a very significant impact on every aspect of the province's life in its 150 years. For example, the roots of the province's vital fruit growing and forestry industries were established by Chamber members and the Chamber established Nelson's first volunteer fire brigade.
We now take for granted free access to recreational areas such as the Maitai River and Lake Rotoiti beach front, but it was Chamber members who negotiated this public access from landowners back in the 19th Century, allowing generations of Nelsonians to enjoy these scenic and peaceful locations.
