Update One –May 2025
The month following the closure of the old New Zealand Wars exhibition has been hectic for the exhibitions, curatorial, and collections teams. We opened a new temporary exhibition on 11 April in the Freyberg Gallery before closing the old exhibition to the public and getting stuck in to the mahi.
With the help of the New Zealand Army, the Armstrong 6 Pounder Rifled Breech Loading Gun and replica wooden carriage were removed from the Pukehinahina Gate Pā diorama. The gun itself was made in England in 1862, and the breech mechanism was made in 1866. A replica carriage was later added for display at the Museum. The gun was disassembled into parts and carried from the Museum by soldiers, and moved into off-site storage.
The exhibitions team worked to disassemble the rest of the diorama. The tussock, stones, and mānuka palisade walls were removed. The three pou that have stood guard over the diorama for almost 50 years were the last to be taken away for a well-deserved rest, following karakia from our Māori advisory group Te Kahu Ārahina.
As many as 17 mannequins have been removed from display. We had a great deal of fun learning about their uniforms as we inventoried and packed them for storage. Some were originals, worn by soldiers in the New Zealand Wars. Some were replicas fastened with Velcro. A particular standout moment was trying to remove the boots from mannequins that had been wearing them for almost five decades – rather than the boots coming off, the mannequins’ legs came off instead.
Over the next month, our contractors will be working in the gallery making cosmetic upgrades to the walls, floor, and ceiling.
