Latest news with #WhanganuiRegionalMuseum
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
A Remarkable Dress Woven With New Zealand's Creative Legacy
An unconventional wedding dress with ties to two iconic New Zealand creatives takes centre stage at the Whanganui Regional Museum this August. The latest Outfit of the Month showcase features a striking floor-length silk dress hand-printed with bold, organic motifs. Worn by celebrated local artist Joanna Paul at her 2003 wedding in Whanganui, the dress is a unique creation by pioneering textile designer Fanny Buss, active from the 1950s to the 1980s. 'Fanny Buss's designs were distinctive and innovative — much like Joanna Paul's works,' says Trish Nugent-Lyne, Pou Tiaki/Collections & Curatorial Lead. 'This dress is a wonderful reminder of the strong women who have shaped New Zealand's art, fashion, and community life. We're excited to share its story with visitors.' Joanna Paul (1945–2003), a multi-disciplinary artist, settled in Whanganui in the mid-1980s. Known for her work in painting, drawing, poetry, film, and photography, she became a key figure in Whanganui's creative scene. Paul was also a passionate advocate for the environment and heritage preservation, making a lasting impact on the community she called home. The dress will be the focus of a free lunchtime talk led by Trish Nugent-Lyne on Friday, 1 August at 12:15pm. Visitors are invited to hear about the garment's unique connection to Whanganui's vibrant arts culture. This edition of Outfit of the Month is specially chosen to complement the major retrospective Joanna Margaret Paul: Imagined In The Context Of A Room currently showing at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery. The outfit will remain on display for the month of August. Entry to the talk is free, with koha welcomed to support the Museum's ongoing work in preserving our region's heritage.
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
A Fresh Look For A Much-Loved Landmark: Whanganui Regional Museum's New Exterior Colour Scheme Unveiled
Visitors to Pukenamu Queen's Park will see an exciting and fresh new look emerging for Whanganui Regional Museum. As scaffolding comes down on sections of the building, glimpses of its attractive new colour scheme are being revealed. The repaint is part of the Whanganui District Council's Long-Term Plan 2024–2034, which includes exterior refurbishment of both the Museum's original 1928 building and its 1968 extension, home also to the Davis Lecture Theatre. The project is currently in Stage One of completion, with work being carried out by Alan Tong Ltd. Craig Dalgleish, Director of Dalgleish Architects Ltd, and design technician Catherine Macdonald designed the new look - a thoughtful blend of local identity, culture, architecture, and natural elements. Their vision brings a new sense of life and warmth to this significant civic building. 'We wanted the Museum to sit confidently on its corner and announce itself,' says Craig. 'The colours reference Whanganui's natural environment, cultural past, and architectural heritage - but they also reflect optimism and inclusivity. We deliberately moved away from the safe neutrality of 'greige' to create a sense of welcome and vitality.' Craig worked with Resene Trade Sales Representative Nick Gibbons on the technical aspects of the colour choices, and with Rāwiri Tinirau, Pou Rauhī / Māori Advisor for Whanganui Regional Museum to ensure cultural resonance. 'We made sure we had cultural sign-off before we presented the scheme. The response was very encouraging, and very supportive.' The palette is anchored by tones of Resene Merino and Triple Merino, a nod to Whanganui's strong farming heritage and the city's early growth on the back of the wool trade. These soft neutrals are contrasted by earthy Resene Scoria, a volcanic red that acknowledges both the region's geology and the architecture of marae, and by Resene Bali Hai, a blue evoking the moana, the awa, and the distant mountains. A soft blush pink - carefully chosen from Resene's colour charts of the period - adds an unexpected yet authentic 1920s touch. 'The Soft Pink is probably the most unexpected colour, but it plays a key role in pulling the scheme together,' Craig explains. 'It breaks the building free from the beige tones and connects both to the 1920s design period and to the warmth of the whenua expressed in the Scoria.' Attention to architectural details was key. The classical 1928 building is designed in three parts - base, shaft, and capital - like a column. Craig and Catherine worked to accentuate the vertical elements that link the two distinct eras of architecture. 'That vertical language softens the transition between the 1920s and 1960s sections, making the whole building feel more cohesive,' he says. The vertical segments on the 1968 building will be painted Scoria red in reference to the pou of marae. An unexpected delight emerged during the project: the discovery of a hidden architectural detail beneath old bitumen waterproofing layers. 'It's a modern detail leaning to the modernist movement and where that was going - quite forward thinking and subtly done by the architect at the time. It is abstract, asymmetrical, and does not follow a classical order at all. It's out of step with the building and is a real clue to how architecture was evolving,' says Craig. 'I think the architect slipped in a reference to the modernity that was starting to happen.' The feature is purely decorative but is linked to the design of the Whanganui War Memorial Centre directly opposite the Museum, built in 1960. 'The fact that the detail is asymmetrical and abstract, is the clue that it illustrates the transition from the classicism of the Museum to the eventual abstraction of the War Memorial Hall.' 'That gave me a real kick – that we uncovered this transition detail that was not of the classicism of the 1920s, but on its way to the modern style. Finding that was a real thrill - it's a little piece of design history brought back to light.' The Museum's new look also reflects a wider shift in Whanganui's cultural precinct. With its neighbours - the Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui War Memorial Hall, and the Alexander Heritage and Research Library - the Museum helps define a civic destination that is forward-looking while firmly grounded in heritage. 'The new colour scheme has a degree of frivolity and 1920s optimism. It looks backwards, but it looks backwards to look forwards.' 'We wanted the building to express inclusivity,' says Craig. 'Historically, the Museum has felt quite patriarchal. It's important that it feels inclusive. This colour scheme is very deliberate – it's intended to say: You're all welcome here.' Whanganui Regional Museum Director Dr Bronwyn Labrum says, 'I could not be more delighted. We had very careful discussions throughout the development of the colour scheme and I always had great faith in Craig and Catherine with whom I have worked on our recent award-winning exhibitions. Their work is outstanding: thoughtful, appropriate, yet bold and contemporary. The meticulous work of Alan Tong Ltd was essential. We have had lots of positive visitor feedback already and the team love it.' Throughout the project, the Whanganui Regional Museum remains open as usual - continuing to welcome visitors into a space where the past, present, and future come together. Note: Founded in 1892, the Whanganui Regional Museum is internationally renowned for its Taonga Māori Collection. Located in Pukenamu Queen's Park, visitors can view the exceptional creations of tupuna (ancestors) of Whanganui tangata whenua (indigenous people) alongside a changing exhibition programme encompassing a world-class collection of natural and human history, with a regional emphasis. The ground level boutique museum store sells a range of local and Māori jewellery, books, cards, art, and other New Zealand-made gift items. The Whanganui Regional Museum Trust is an independent legal entity that owns the collection and governs the development of the Museum on behalf of the Whanganui community. Open to visitors daily from 10.00am to 4.30pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday), entry to Whanganui Regional Museum is free. Connect with Whanganui Regional Museum or on Facebook and Instagram.
NZ Herald
04-07-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Photographic exhibition Our Places of Worship opens at Whanganui Regional Museum
A photographic exhibition of churches and places of worship has opened at the Whanganui Regional Museum. The exhibition, Our Places of Worship, combines print and digital photography captured in 2024 in the wider Whanganui region. It is a collaboration between the Whanganui Camera Club and Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust. Featuring
Scoop
02-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
New Exhibition At Whanganui Regional Museum Celebrates Sacred Architecture
Whanganui Regional Museum is proud to announce the opening of Our Places of Worship, a captivating photographic journey through the diverse churches and places of worship that have shaped the wider Whanganui region. The exhibition combines print and digital photography captured in 2024. The exhibition is the result of a major collaborative effort between the Whanganui Camera Club and the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust. Featuring the work of 24 talented club photographers, the project documents 70 sites of architectural significance, with over 2,000 digital images. The images have been archived in the Alexander Heritage & Research Library/Te Rerenga mai o te Kāuru. Of these, 40 carefully selected prints are on display, alongside a digital display of around 200 images. The original print exhibition unveiled last year at Whanganui Arts Centre was curated by Andrew Clifford (Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery), Bruce Dickson and Denis McGowan (local architects and members of the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust), and Beverley Sinclair and John Smart from the Whanganui Camera Club. The current presentation at the Museum has been curated by Maeve Egan, Kaihāpai Taonga/Curator at the Whanganui Regional Museum. 'This exhibition honours not just the buildings, but the stories and communities behind them,' says Egan. 'It's an evocative tribute to the region's spiritual heritage, captured through the eyes of passionate local photographers. We're thrilled to offer visitors a chance to experience these spaces in a new light.' Our Places of Worship is now open daily from 10am to 4.30pm until September 16, at the Whanganui Regional Museum, located in Pukenamu Queens Park on Watt Street. Entry is free, with koha (donations) gratefully accepted to support the Museum's work. Exhibition details Our Places of Worship Open daily 10am-4.30pm at Whanganui Regional Museum, Pukenamu Queens Park, Watt Street, Whanganui. Admission is free. Founded in 1892, the Whanganui Regional Museum is internationally renowned for its Taonga Māori Collection. Located in Pukenamu Queen's Park, visitors can view the exceptional creations of tupuna (ancestors) of Whanganui tangata whenua (indigenous people) alongside a changing exhibition programme encompassing a world-class collection of natural and human history, with a regional emphasis. The ground level boutique museum store sells a range of local and Māori jewellery, books, cards, art, and other New Zealand-made gift items. The Whanganui Regional Museum Trust is an independent legal entity that owns the collection and governs the development of the Museum on behalf of the Whanganui community. Open to visitors daily from 10.00am to 4.30pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday), entry to Whanganui Regional Museum is free.
Scoop
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
The Wearing Of The Tartan: A Bold Blend Of Tradition And Modernity
The Whanganui Regional Museum is preparing to showcase a 1950s woollen day dress made from Wallace tartan. The dress was donated to the museum by Jean Frank, a dedicated Wanganui Museum staff member from 1970 to 1988. Pou Ārahi/Director, Dr Bronwyn Labrum, will host a fashion talk in the Museum at 12.15pm on Friday 4th July to present the outfit to the public. Whanganui Regional Museum's popular Outfit of the Month series continues with the next fashion talk on Friday 4 July at 12:15pm, which takes a special look at a classic woollen dress with a stylish twist. The featured outfit for July is a day dress made from Wallace tartan. An example of post-war fashion, the dress reflects the 1950s enthusiasm for structured silhouettes and statement patterns. The Wallace tartan is arguably one of the most recognisable and striking of all Scottish tartans, associated with the famous Scottish patriot Sir William Wallace. Tartan styles experienced a revival during the 1950s. Designers embraced tartan's strong visual appeal, pairing it with the era's fitted bodices and flared skirts to create garments that felt both traditional and modern. The crisp plaid and strong pattern would have made it a fashion-forward choice at that time. It reflected the post-war desire for elegant practicality with a splash of individuality, making it popular not just in the UK but in countries like New Zealand, where many families maintained strong ties to British and Scottish heritage. Originally worn by Mrs. L.A. Sergeant (born Annie May Lowe in 1899), who later emigrated with her family from England to New Zealand, the dress was gifted to the Museum by her daughter, Jean Frank. Jean was a dedicated Wanganui Museum staff member from 1970 to 1988, holding roles that included Artist, Display Artist, and Senior Assistant. The fashion talk will be presented by Pou Ārahi/Director, Dr Bronwyn Labrum. 'This dress is a stylish piece from the 1950s and a connection to the journeys of migration, memory, and family heritage,' says Labrum. 'Clothing like this speaks volumes about the era's fashion, but also the everyday lives of women who wore them.' The dress will remain on display throughout August, following the free lunchtime talk. All are welcome to attend. Koha or donations are appreciated to support the Museum's ongoing work in preserving Whanganui's rich cultural history. Founded in 1892, the Whanganui Regional Museum is internationally renowned for its Taonga Māori Collection. Located in Pukenamu Queen's Park, visitors can view the exceptional creations of tupuna (ancestors) of Whanganui tangata whenua (indigenous people) alongside a changing exhibition programme encompassing a world-class collection of natural and human history, with a regional emphasis. The ground level boutique museum store sells a range of local and Māori jewellery, books, cards, art, and other New Zealand-made gift items. The Whanganui Regional Museum Trust is an independent legal entity that owns the collection and governs the development of the Museum on behalf of the Whanganui community. Open to visitors daily from 10.00am to 4.30pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday), entry to Whanganui Regional Museum is free. Connect with Whanganui Regional Museum at or on Facebook, and Instagram.
