Spotlight on a member - Kāpiti Coast Museum

Built in 1907, the old Waikanae Post Office in Elizabeth Street is a fitting location to house the historical objects, reference books, photographs, maps and survey documents that make up the Kāpiti Coast Museum’s eclectic and fascinating collection.

Shortly after the Post Office relocated to Mahara Place in 1981, the council proposed that the building be repurposed as a museum. The initial collection included telephone and telegraph equipment donated by the New Zealand Post & Telegraph Department and early 20th Century radio sets and communications equipment previously housed in a group of ham radio enthusiasts’ garages.

The museum became an incorporated society in 1984 and has since benefitted from the generous donations made by Kāpiti residents and people connected with the coast, with each item contributing to depicting the story of everyday life in Kāpiti. Some of the more unusual exhibits include a large cast iron whale pot from Kāpiti Island used to render whale blubber into oil, and interactive exhibites such as a church pump organ that visitors are welcome to play, and a working manual telephone switchboard.

This year has been a particularly busy one for the museum, with significant renovation taking place in partnership with Kāpiti Coast District Council. A selection of engaging historical photographs has been affixed to the external windows, and a pretty picket fence and bilingual heritage information board added to the entrance area. Te Ātiawa artist Vianny Parata has painted a thematic mural called He rau ringa e te oti (‘many hands make light work’) on the large concrete wall space at the rear of the building. The colourful work features symbolic designs relevant to the region.

Funded by grants and public donations, the museum is staffed entirely by a group of energetic volunteers; kaitiaki who share a passion for recording and safeguarding the collection. Offering a broad range of knowledge, skills and expertise, volunteers handle all aspects of the museum’s operation including accession, cataloguing, display and storage of taonga representing important aspects of the coast’s social history.

Volunteer Museum Hosts welcome people to the museum between 1-4pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, where they are on hand to explain the background and significance of the exhibits to visitors from near and far, including overseas visitors passing through Waikanae. Outside these times, groups can visit by arrangement. Recent groups hosted have included Pippins (junior Girl Guides), primary school classes, Rebus club members and visitors from retirement villages located in other parts of the Wellington region.

New volunteers are always most welcome to join the team for a rewarding and fun experience. Click on this link to read more about the role and how to apply: https://volunteerkapiti.org.nz/roles/1003/museum-host-waikanae