Tawhiti Museum

Tawhiti Museum is guaranteed not to disappoint. I've been about four times now, and I’m not really a fan of museums! Well, not usually. But this one is definitely a fun way to see New Zealand history. Each time I go there's something different and interesting.

This time, we explored their new section: "Traders and Whalers".

Although it’s created in a 1000m² building, as you enter the “tunnels” you get the impression that you’ve gone underground. 

As we walked through the narrow, cool passageways, we passed alcoves with life-size models in them giving an insight into life back in the early 1800s. 

The details in these models is amazing. 

There were also smaller displays with miniature figurines (all made to scale) telling a story of New Zealand history. These were set into the walls and covered with glass.

Kevin (one of the guys in charge of the boats further on in) heard us coming and came to meet us. Then he took us back to explain the various scenes we’d been looking at and also introduced us to the friendly ghost. Yes, truly! Note the sign in the picture of the tunnels previously.

He eventually led us back to where the passageway opens up to a larger area with a jetty (still “underground”) and a small boat that takes you on a journey into the past. We were told that Weta Workshop (Peter Jackson and The Lord of the Rings people) created the amazing “rocks” that were above and alongside us as we climbed aboard. Jim, our friendly boatman, guided our boat slowly down the waterway. 

(This is not a good photo, but if will give you an idea of the set up.)

I wasn’t allowed to take photos during the boat ride (although there are some on their website—see the link at the bottom of this post). You really need to experience it for yourself. There are sound effects and various conversations as you watch the Māori bartering with the traders over wild pigs, flax and muskets. Then you enter a war zone, where guns are blazing. It’s a ten-minute boat trip through a dark bush and coastal setting, where you travel back in time and experience a piece of the 1820s. The kids will love it too!

Leaving the Traders and Whalers we came out into a corridor that led to an impressive display of vintage farm machinery.

One of the things that I think makes this museum special (apart from the incredible collections) is the numerous models that are interspersed among the displays throughout the museum, bringing history to life.

Back outside into the sunlight, we decided we’d enjoy a coffee at Mr Badgers Café. Yes, good coffee!

Decorated along the theme of The Wind in the Willows and true to Tawhiti style, it also has its own models: both a life-size Mr Badger reading a book beside a fire . . .

. . .and set into a wall, several miniature 3-D scenes from chapters out of The Wind in the Willows story. This was just one of them:

There was a great collection of books up high on along one shelf.

 

We met Nigel Ogle when we first arrived. He was in the gift shop making miniature trees.

Making these models (both life size and miniature) is his passion. He’s an incredibly talented artist. The attention to detail in his creations is amazing. What started out as a hobby and a small private collection has grown into an impressive museum that can be enjoyed by both young and old.

The gift shop has a nautical theme—complete with it's own life-size pirate sitting up in the rafters.

There’s a great video clip on the Tawhiti Museum website that includes part of the boat trip.

There’s also a small train that runs on the first Sunday of each month, Sundays during the school holidays and most public holidays, weather permitting. You’d be advised to check their website for opening hours as they vary.

Tawhiti Museum is not too far out of Hawera—about 4 kilometers. If you’re travelling from the north, watch for the sign to turn off just after you come through Normanby.

It costs $15 for an adult and $5 for a child (pre-schoolers free) to go through the museum and the same prices again to go through the Traders and Whalers part. You’ll need to allow a couple of hours to go through the museum and about 45 minutes to go through the Traders and Whalers.