Central Hawke's Bay Settlers Museum changes name to represent community
In a bid to represent its community, the Central Hawke’s Bay Settlers Museum has removed the word "settlers" and changed its name for the first time in more than 30 years.
The museum, located in Waipawa, was named the Central Hawke’s Bay Settlers Museum after the Historic Bank of New Zealand building was gifted to the people to house a museum.
This year, however, the Museum committee decided to remove the word “settlers” to be more inclusive of mana whenua and the growing number of people of different nationalities making Central Hawke’s Bay home.
Museum patron Charles Nairn said that while the museum was dedicated to preserving the rich history of the district, it was expanding its offering beyond the European settlers to better incorporate tangata whenua, more recent arrivals and people of different nationalities, and adapt to the changing appetites of the community.
“This can be seen in recent years with exhibitions such as Nga Taonga o Tamatea – Te Hokianga Mai, the WW1 and 2 soldiers’ histories, and the current Kohua Maori Art Exhibition – all examples of how
the museum is being more inclusive and also expanding what it offers, both historically and in a contemporary context.”
While the name has changed, the Museum is still a place where visitors can walk in and step into the life of some of the early European settlers – alongside local and national taonga and historic, military, and technology treasures.
The Museum committee is made up of members of the community as well as one Central Hawke’s Bay District Council representative, and next month the public is invited to join them at their Annual
General Meeting.
Alongside the usual order of business, people will be able to hear from guest speaker Araraina Te Atua-Tipene.
Araraina is a local resident, and is the youngest-ever board member of Rongomaraeroa Marae in Porangahau, currently working as a social worker at Hawke’s Bay District Health Board.
Holding a degree in Social Sciences, and currently studying towards her Masters in Indigenous Studies, Araraina will share her insights into ways biculturalism can be implemented in Aotearoa, to
the benefit of all who live here.
“My goals are to support the development of my whānau/hapū and iwi – socially, culturally and economically,” she says.
The AGM will be held at the Central Hawke’s Bay Museum Exhibition Hall on August 25 at 5.30pm.
