Western Bay Museum: Spotlight on environmental heroes among summer exhibitions

Local environmental groups are highlighted at Western Bay Museum.

Western Bay Museum has a range of new exhibitions during the summer period.

Ngā Toa Taiao – Environmental Heroes, Maunga ki te Moana – Mountains to the Sea showcases the work of volunteers, staff, local hapū and iwi focused on restoring and protecting the natural environment.

The exhibition focuses on the hard work of individuals and groups and their passion for the environment. Visitors will learn about projects aimed at improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity and protecting native species.

Projects:

● Te Marie 2021: Controlling pest animals in the Aongatete Forest

● Project Parore: Improve water quality and restore native fish habitats

● Maketū Ongatoro Wetlands Society: Biodiversity monitoring and habitat restoration

● Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Trust: Protecting kiwi and other indigenous birds

● Aongatete Forest Project: Returning the tiny rifleman to its native habitat

● Kaimai Kauri: Kauri protection and managing kauri dieback disease

● Ōtawhiwhi Marae: Ocean biodiversity projects, including research on the great white shark

● Te Wao Nui o Tapuika: Creating a kōkako corridor for the endangered species

● Te Whakakaha Trust: Advocating for the Hochstetter’s frog in lowland coastal forests

● Dr Peter Maddison: Honouring a champion in environmental conservation

Echoes of Exchange exhibition focuses on the vital role of communication in history.

Echoes of Exchange reflects on the vital role of communication in communities and the exhibition includes interactive elements exploring a time before digital communication.

Step back into an era when communities like Katikati relied on the post office and telephone exchange to stay connected, and there is a working telephone exchange, a spokesperson says.

“It reflects on the significance of the New Zealand Post Office as the lifeline for communities, conveying news of births, engagements, emergencies and more, through the trusted hands of postal workers. The post office served not only as a hub for mail collection and essential services, but also social communications and shared stories.

“Visitors are invited to explore the rich history of two institutions that shaped community life. Echoes of Exchange serves as a reminder of how communication, connection and community were once intricately intertwined.”

Taonga Māori – Tūhua and Pounamu is a story through the eyes of the Northern Tauranga Moana hapū with raw specimens of obsidian (tūhua) and greenstone (pounamu). Exhibits demonstrate their value and use for Māori.

Hickory Dickory Dock is dozens of clocks, from a grandfather clock to small travel clocks and pocket watches. Many will remember some of these clocks, which adorned our walls or sat by the bedside. Some are intricately made, some are quirky like the invention of the teasmade – providing an early-morning cuppa as the alarm went off.

Western Bay Museum is open every day during the summer holiday period, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm and weekends and public holidays 11am-3pm. Entry is free.