Helensville Pioneer Museum, whose mission is “to promote, understand, and preserve the history and heritage of the district, and its intrinsic values”, has now changed its name to Helensville Museum to better acknowledge the area’s long, pre-European history.
The new archive building is now in use and big plans are underway to re-vamp presentation of all the displays.
In a significant and highly valued move, a ceremony held in November saw representatives from Haranui Marae’s Ngati Whatua iwi hand Helensville Museum a pou to care for and hopefully preserve. Initially found in a South Head swamp, the carving is thought to be between 300 and 400 years old. Museum committee member Leigh Bosch (Ngati Whatua), who was formerly Chair of the Rewiti Marae Trust, is the appointed kaitiaki (guardian) of this taonga, which will take pride of place when the museum is refurbished.
With the Art Centre moving from its spot behind the Art Stop Café, Denise Marshall’s carving group is now making the museum its new home, taking over the shed behind the schoolhouse. Some of their pieces will be on display around the museum and visitors will be encouraged to try doing some carving on Open Days.