Spotlight on the Heritage Collection - Puke Ariki Museum Libraries Tourist Information Taranaki New Zealand

Shameless Self Promotion

20 May 2013

At first glance this medallion may look like a remnant of some lost civilisation, but it’s really just a bit of shameless self promotion. It features the bust of James Morison, a famous nineteenth century English ‘quack doctor’.... read more

John Bevan Ford

13 May 2013

John Bevan Ford (1930-2005) was inspired by the belief that land gives life, that it carries a spiritual essence and that it connects people. As a painter, carver, and sculptor his art drew inspiration and strength from his Maori heritage. This... read more

Nursing Badge

06 May 2013

This badge was worn by Mary Ellen Affleck, a daughter of Robert and Jessie Affleck, of Opunake. Mary, a trained nurse, embarked for World War I as a Staff Nurse with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Corps in August 1915. She served in the New... read more

Pounding Fibre

29 April 2013

Using the Puke Ariki collection as evidence, Taranaki appears to have had one of the highest concentrations of these Patu Muka (fibre pounders) in Aotearoa, perhaps signifying that this region was once a significant producer of quality fibre... read more

Snowball Fights

22 April 2013

In 1919, Edward Snowball asked Hannah Gavin, a fellow employee at Samuel Brewer’s farm, to accompany him to the Guy Fawkes celebrations. Fast forward nine months and Edward Snowball was nowhere to be found. He had left a distressed and very pregnant... read more

Blast from the Past

16 April 2013

An odd reminder of a blast from the past, this chunk of lava comes from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Embedded in the centre of the lava is an Italian 10 centesimi coin, thought to be of the type issued between 1919-1937. Mt Vesuvius is one of the... read more

Ward Shoots Wolf

09 April 2013

It was a dark and misty night on the 24 May 1863, when Thomas Wolf and Joe Ward, two Taranaki Militiamen, were sent for sentry duty in a gully near Fort Carrington in New Plymouth. Most likely, both men would have been on edge, as earlier that month... read more

Ōmata Scoops Gold

03 April 2013

Ōmata, San Francisco and Panama are linked by this grand, gold-plated prize. The obverse of the medal features two nude classical figures reaching towards each other, superimposed over clouds and a bright sun over Panama. “DIVINE DISTNCTA IVNXIT... read more

Having A Blast

25 March 2013

Following the entry of Japan to World War II, in December 1941, the threat of invasion to New Zealand became a real possibility. The superiority of the Japanese air force and their notorious heavy bombing raids, led the New Zealand Government... read more

Protests Flushed Away

18 March 2013

In 1920, the Mayor of New Plymouth proposed building a men’s public toilet smack bang in the middle of Brougham Street. Objections came pouring in from local citizens. "Lady clerks and assistants are employed in at least ten different offices…in... read more

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