Heritage exhibitions, prizes and more throughout Kapiti over Wellington Anniversary Weekend
From Paekakariki to Otaki, the nine museums in the Discover Kapiti Heritage Group will showcase the district’s rich and vibrant history with exhibitions and other activities over Wellington Anniversary Weekend on 19th thru 21st January.
Discover Kapiti Heritage group chairman Allan Carley says, “This event promotes the history of the district and both locals and visitors to the Kapiti Coast will also have the opportunity to win prizes as they visit the museums over that weekend. This is an ideal chance for people to visit more of the museums, learn about our amazing past and be in the draw for some great prizes. We wish to thank all of our sponsors who help make this event successful."
Prizes include a 45 minutes flight around Kapiti with the Kapiti Aero Club and one of several family passes to Southward Car Museum and Wellington Tramway Museum.
Otaki Museum, on Mill Road, will be celebrating 100 years of the engaging history of the museum building including artefacts from their historical collection. They will be open from Thursday thru Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
The Kapiti Coast Museum on Elizabeth Street, Waikanae, has colonial collections focusing on the Lost Waikanae Racecourse of over 100 years ago along with a display about the historic missionary Octavius Hadfield. Open Friday 1pm to 4pm and Saturday thru Monday from 10am to 4pm.
The Mahara Gallery found in Mahara Place, Waikanae, is the district’s public gallery for the Kapiti Coast. They are open Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 4pm.
Cars, trains, planes and trams from days gone by can be marvelled at Kapiti’s transport museums. The Southward Car Museum at Otaihanga is the largest and most comprehensive car museum in the Southern Hemisphere. Its world class collection features more than 400 cars, motorbikes and planes along with many more restored treasures. Open Saturday, Sunday & Monday 9am to 4.30pm.
The Museum of Aviation, next to the old Airport Control Tower, in Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu, has a great collection of aircraft models, alongside aviation and airport heritage, including the propeller from Will Scotland’s Cauldron biplane. Other displays feature memorabilia from RNZAF aircraft in WWII from 1945 to 1970.
The Wellington Tramway Museum is situated in Queen Elizabeth Park at Mackay’s Crossing, Paekakariki. Visitors can view their collection of old Wellington Trams and browse through the many museum exhibits of Wellington trams of old.
The glorious days of steam train travel are brought to life at Steam Incorporated at their Engine Shed next to Paekakariki Station Museum on Saturday 10am to 4pm. This is a chance to get up close and personal with these trains. Staff will be on hand to help with any questions you may have. They are dedicated to restoring steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock. Their next excursion is planned for Saturday 16th February to Napier for the Art Deco Festival.
The Paekakariki Station Museum will have displays of railway and US Marines history, Ngati Haumia and colonial heritage. Discover the art and poetry walk which begins and ends at the museum. Open Saturday thru Monday from 11am to 3pm.
The Kapiti US Marines Trust display is located in Queen Elizabeth Park, Whareroa and the Paekakariki Station Museum. The Trust collects, preserves and promotes WWII US Armed Forces history from 1942-1944 in the Kapiti district. Visit the Marines Memorial and restored four-man hut at Queen Elizabeth Park, walk the Camp Mackay Trail at Whareroa Farm and view the Marines display at Paekakariki Station Museum.
Visit the Discover Kapiti Heritage Group website at www.kapitiheritage.org.nz for more information.
