Public Programmes

^Talks and Activities

2009 Summer Programme
Whanganui Regional Museum is participating in the 2009 Whanganui Summer Programme by contributing the following activities:

 
Whanganui River Road to Hiruhārama

Monday 26 January

  
Iwi historian Che Wilson leads a memorable trip along the Whanganui River Road describing places of significance to River iwi. Stopping at Koriniti Marae for morning tea and a tour of the marae and the renowned wharepuni Te Waiherehere and Poutama. Continuing to Hiruhārama

(Jerusalem) to view the historic, recently restored church and convent and relax in the convent grounds for a picnic lunch. The trip will continue to Pīpīriki and return via the Parapara. Only short walks involved.

Depart Whanganui Riverboat Centre: 8.30 am; return: 5.30 pm

Adult: $32 Child: $22
Fossil Fossick – Children’s activity ages 8-14 years

Wednesday 28 January
A trip to Castlecliff Beach led by Museum educator Margie Beautrais to search for fossils and find your very own Castlecliffian fossil. Return to the Museum to identify your fascinating finds and see some amazing and really ancient fossils from the Museum collection. The afternoon will conclude with a creation of your very own fake fossils to take away, using shells and bones. Bring lunch, snacks and drink bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, jacket and sensible walking shoes.

Start 9.30 am at Museum, Watt Street; finish 3.30 pm

Cost: $10 (children only)
Exploring the Swamp Forest – Children’s activity ages 8-14 years

Thursday 29 January
On the doorstep of Wanganui city lies Gordon Park, a precious remnant of swamp forest once common in our region. Find out about New Zealand’s tallest forest giants and discover what else likes to live in wet and soggy places, including plants, little critters and birds in a trip led by Museum educator Margie Beautrais. After our exploration in the bush, we return to Museum to find out more about plants and wildlife of the Whanganui region. The afternoon concludes with an opportunity to make an object to take away using flax, the great New Zealand swamp plant. Bring lunch, snacks and drink bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, jacket and sensible walking shoes.

Start: 9.30 am at Museum, Watt Street; finish 3.30 pm

Cost: $10 (children only)
Pākaitore-Moutoa Gardens to Pūtiki walk

Tuesday 10 February


Museum archivist Libby Sharpe and iwi historian Che Wilson lead a guided walk from Pākaitore to Pūtiki and back, describing places of significance to iwi along the way, referring to photographs from the Partington collection that are the focus of the Museum’s exhibition Te Pihi Mata – The Sacred Eye. Visit Pūtiki Marae and Pūtiki Church with refreshments provided at the church hall.

Depart Museum: 1.00 pm; return: 4.00 pm.

Cost: $10

Book at the Whanganui Riverboat Centre, 1 Taupo Quay, Wanganui, between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm from 13 December 2008.
Tour & Talk Series

In support of the 2009 Whanganui Summer Programme evening talk series, Museum staff will be organising a programme of tours to look at an aspect of the Museum’s collection prior to each evening talk.

Talks cost $4 adult; $2 child with payment made on the night; no bookings are necessary.

Time: tours 6.45 pm, talk 7.00 pm, Davis Lecture Theatre, Whanganui Regional Museum
Boabs, Bowerbirds, Bungle Bungles and other Bs: Darwin to Broome and back.

Monday 5 January

Last July Colin and Robyn Ogle did a return drive of this 1860 km journey in northern Australia. Some of the landscapes, plants, animals, people and settlements they found on and off the highway will be illustrated in Colin’s talk.
New Zealand’s Beautiful Birds

Monday 12 January

Come and enjoy an illustrated talk by local photographer and amateur ornithologist, Paul Gibson, about New Zealand’s beautiful birds, where to find them, and some amazing facts about them. Paul’s close-up, large format photographs reveal a beauty that otherwise is not seen. Included will be pictures of Paul’s recent trip to the southern oceans, a region abundant with albatross and penguin. Also available will be copies of Paul’s book, New Zealand Birds – a diverse selection.
Our World

Thursday 22 January

Kevin Hackwell, Forest and Bird’s National Advocacy Manager, speaks on the impacts of climate change on New Zealand’s biodiversity. What’s happening already? What do we do about it?


The End of the Wooden Shop: Wanganui’s Architecture in the 1890s

Tuesday 27 January

At the beginning of this decade, John Balance, the local MP, became Premier, Hatrick began his river boat service, the girls got a secondary school and then their mothers got the vote. Wendy Pettigrew introduces the story of Wanganui’s architecture set against the background of those heady days which signalled the start of 30 years of growth for the city.
Protecting Indigenous Vegetation around Whanganui

Thursday 29 January

Amy Hawcroft from the Department of Conservation will present some case studies of the work DOC does to monitor the health of indigenous plants and habitats in Wanganui Conservancy (which covers Taranaki, Whanganui, western Ruahine and the Manawatü plains), and how the forests and grasslands have changed through time.
From Pā and Ships’ Spars to Wick Drains and Wind Farms: A Local Engineering Perspective

Monday 9 February

^Talks and Activities
Billy Webb Centennial Challenge

1-7 Dec 2009

One hundred years after Billy Webb defended his World Championship title on the Whanganui River, New Zealand’s rowing powerhouse Mahé Drysdale and Beijing gold medallist Olaf Tufte will take to the Whanganui water in an exciting re-match. The race will be the premier event in the Billy Webb Centennial Challenge to be held on Sunday, 7 December 2008, in Wanganui. Come to the Museum to see a small display featuring Billy Webb in support of this event.
D Company Māori Battalion

Dec 2008 - Feb 2009

A display at the Museum will celebrate and support the annual Māori Battalion Reunion which will be held in Whanganui 20 to 22 February 2009 at Pütiki and the Wanganui Racecourse. Ake, ake, kia kaha e!
Talk and walk

Wed 11 Feb 2009 1.00 pm

Exhibition curator Michelle Horwood and kaiwhakaako/educator Robin Martin take a guided tour of the exhibition Land – mana whenua, mana tangata, describing the development of the wider Whanganui region, community and city during the 19th century. They then visit and view the sites of significance described in the exhibition on a walk from the Museum to Pākaitore-Moutoa Gardens.
Film night

Mon 16 Mar 2009 5.30-7.30 pm

Screening two films to tie in with the award winning exhibition Te Pihi Mata - The Sacred Eye; Partington’s photographs of Whanganui. This month we feature Hui Aranga at Kaiwhaikï 1952 and Tama Tu plus a tour of Te Pihi Mata with exhibition curators Che Wilson and Libby Sharpe.
Seaweek

1- 8 March 2009

The theme for Seaweek this year is One Ocean - It starts with me, Kotahi Moana, Ka tīmata mai i ahau.
Tour and talk

Wed 15 Apr 2009 5.00-6.00 pm

Timed to coincide with the Photographic Society of New Zealand’s National Convention to be held in Wanganui from 15-19 April 2009, archivist Libby Sharpe will take a guided tour featuring photographic highlights from the Museum’s collection that celebrates Whanganui’s rich photographic history.

^Fun and Games


Whatever your interests are, our kaiārahi (Māori guide)will find things for you and your tamariki to do. Our activities tables are full of toys and games and learning fun for your children.

^Free Sunday Funday


Our famous free family activity days return on the last Sunday of each month with collection and exhibition tours, family activities and performances.

30 November

11.00 am, 12 noon Join staff behind the scenes at the Museum. An opportunity to go behind the scenes and explore places the public rarely gets to see. Bookings are essential as numbers are strictly limited; telephone 06 349 1110 to reserve a place.

1.00 pm Land – mana whenua, mana tangata Exhibition tour with curator Michelle Horwood. This exciting new exhibition describes the development of the wider Whanganui region, community and city during the 19th century through experiences of tangata whenua and European settlers, with particular reference to land, spirituality, conflict and alliance.

The curator will also show some of the treasured taonga which feature in the Museum’s recent publication Te Ara Tapu – Sacred Journeys; Whanganui Regional Museum’s Taonga Māori Collection.

1.00, 2.00, 3.00 pm William’s Barrel Organ performance. A highlight of the day will be three recitals of early 19th century church organ music and history of this important early barrel organ.

1.00 – 4.00 pm family activity. Learn how to make fabulous Christmas cards and decorations ready for the festive season.

28 December

Exhibition tours of Te Āti Haunui-ā-Pāpārangi the Māori Court, Land – mana whenua, mana tangata and the award winning Te Pihi Mata – The Sacred Eye on the hour with kaiärahi Rachel Ley.

25 January 2009

22 February 2009

29 March 2009

26 April 2009

31 May 2009
28 June 2009

and...

^Kaiārahi tours
Take a guided tour around the Museum, Thursday to Sunday at 10.00 am and 2.00 pm. Our kaiarāhi (Māori guide) will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with interesting information about the collections and exhibitions.

Or when you want them …

Phone the Museum for group bookings on 06 349 1110.

Tēnā koutou katoa. Welcome to all.