The renovation of Pataka Museum’s storage area in 2017 brought to light two documents that are probably the oldest existing paper records of early Porirua.
In 1856 the village of Pahautanui (now called Pauatahanui) was the only settlement in the Porirua area. Thomas Hollis Stace, who had arrived with his family from Tasmania in 1853, bought a piece of land on the southern edge of the village. He saw that the village lacked a school, church and cemetery; so he donated an acre of his land to help fill these gaps.
The details of this generous gift were set down on two sheets of parchment on 6 December 1856, and it is this 161-year-old Trust Deed that has emerged from the Pataka storeroom.
Kihikihi is an interactive sound installation inspired by the New Zealand chorus cicada, which is renowned for its rhythmic and persistent sound that heralds the end of summer.
Featuring the trials of three well-known gothic literature characters: Dr Frankenstein, Count Dracula, and Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde, Verdict’s courtroom sees the souls of the dead put on trial for their sins.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 December 2024 at St Ninian’s, Newcombe Crescent, Karori at 7.30pm. Members and friends welcome. “There’s gold in them thar hills: the archaeology of Wellington’s gold rush and the Albion Battery” Michael Grace and Mary O’Keeffe will tell the fascinating story of Wellington’s 19th century gold rush […]
