Past Stories

Older articles from our archives 

What’s the point of museums?

What’s the point of museums?

I recently read an article in the New Zealand Geographic titled, “What’s the Point of Museums?” Written by Mike Dickason article really gave me some perspective on my job as manager of a museum. We get lot of queries about why certain artifacts are not being displayed...

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The Museum is Turning 40!

The Museum is Turning 40!

Article first published in The Informer With Christmas only a few weeks away, thoughts tend to turn towards the upcoming festivities and our social calendars move into higher gear. Here at the Mercury Bay Museum we are ready to celebrate as well as the Museum is...

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Twelve Days – 1769

Twelve Days – 1769

It has begun!! We have started the work on our new exhibit ‘Twelve Days – 1769’ and in fact as you read this the main ‘bones’ of the exhibit is complete and now it’s the pretty design stuff to do.

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New HMS Buffalo Exhibit

New HMS Buffalo Exhibit

The Mercury Bay Museum in Whitianga has recently unveiled a new HMS Buffalo exhibit. Work on the exhibit began in February this year and was completed at the end of June. “Myself and my volunteer team have been working hard over the last few months to put together the...

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When Toawaka Met Cook

When Toawaka Met Cook

We are so excited to be hosting this event this weekend!! Come in, purchase a book, get it signed and then have a look around the museum!! See you Saturday!!

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Museum in a Box

Museum in a Box

My visit to Whenuakite Country Kids – May 2019In May, I visited Whenuakite Country Kids to present our ‘Museum in a box’ Education programme called ‘Little Ship - Big Minds’.  This programme delivers information to the children about the HMB Endeavour and some of the...

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May 2019 Overview

May 2019 Overview

Wow, the roadworks are nearly complete outside the Museum and our new driveway entrance is looking fab.  Thanks to Lissa and the Dempsey Wood team – you have made this process so easy! Inside the museum things are moving along too.  We recently held a training session...

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Te Powhiri

Te Powhiri

18 October 2019
Wharekaho
Te Pōwhiri is to acknowledge & commemorate that first encounter between Ngāti Hei and European 250 years ago. Visit the Mercury250 website for more information on Tuia

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Tuia 250 Voyaging Flotilla

Tuia 250 Voyaging Flotilla

18 -21 October 2019
Wharekaho
The Tuia 250 Voyage will take the form of a flotilla of vessels – waka hourua va’a tipaerua heritage vessels and their crews sailing to and engaging communities

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A Mystery to Solve!

A Mystery to Solve!

Summer has now left us and the mornings are a lot cooler.  The Museum is now in its winter hours – so closed Monday’s (except for Queen’s Birthday) and 10am-4pm Tuesday to Sunday. Thank you to all who visited over the summer break.  It was great to see so many new...

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An Exciting Find

An Exciting Find

The old water tank of the Mercury Bay Dairy factory (the building that is now the Mercury Bay Museum) is home to a substantial collection of historical maps, records, books containing financial transactions and novels - many more than a century old. Mercury Bay Museum...

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