Bay Harbour: March 14, 2018

Wednesday March 14 2018
upgrade
A specialist in small regional cant funding to support the redevelopment
until the groundwork
museums, he shifted to Okains
Bay a year ago with his partner is in place, he says and that’s what
and two burmese cats and they he’s been doing over the past year.
live on-site.
Come April, the fundraising
It’s the nature of the job to drive will pick up pace. Mr Day
move around, he says.
estimates it will take around $1
His appointment followed a million over the next five years to
visit to the museum from Te Papa fully upgrade.
18 months ago, when the Maori Report writing takes up a lot
collection was declared as being of his time, but he also works
of international significance hands-on to improve the condition
of the displays, helped by
and other collections nationally
important, including the antique museum custodian Sharon
firearms, small boats and some of Henderson.
the buildings.
Reorganising the eclectic colonial
collection is under way.
Along with managing the
museum day-to-day, Mr Day is Mr Day observes it lacks a
involved in writing policies and narrative at the moment – but
reports, undertaking conservation
work where needed, renew-
way without losing the quirkiness
presenting it in a more appealing
ing and improving exhibitions, will be a big job.
marketing and staff management “You act as a mnemonic aid;
– “everything.”
that’s part of the community
As one of the hubs of the local function. It contains the identity
community, it’s got to strengthen of the people, a museum.”
that role, he says.
He smiles when asked whether
“It’s got to provide a better level he will see out the next five years
of care for its collections. We are in the bay. It partly depends on
looking at a five-year redevelopment
programme so the layout of supportive community. Working
his health. But he is enjoying the
the buildings will work better for in smaller museums is uniquely
the visiting public, without losing satisfying.
the ambience and the special “The stories are much closer to
character that it’s got. The aim is the surface and more fascinating.
for long-term sustainability.” You know you’re making a difference.”
It’s difficult to apply for signifi-
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Local
News
Now
History and traditional skills
OKAINS BAY farmer Murray Thacker, who died last
year, started collecting at the age of 11 and it quickly
became a lifetime passion.
In 1968 he bought the old dairy factory to house
his collection, opening the Okains Bay Maori and
Historical Museum in 1977.
Much of the carving on site was created specifically
by master carver John Rua, who began attending Van
Asch School for the Deaf as a child.
It was at Van Asch that he began learning woodwork
and carved sea creatures, kiwi and zoo animals.
His work was later shown in an exhibition, whereupon
he met master carver Hone Te Kauru Taiapa,
who invited him to learn traditional Toi Whakairo at
the New Zealand Institute for Maori Arts and Crafts
in Rotorua.
Mr Rua graduated with honours in 1972 and two
years later began carving for the Okains Bay museum,
later shifting to Christchurch where he set up his own
business at the Artist’s Quarters in Oxford Tce.
In 1980 he began work on the meeting house and
dining room at Ngā Hau E Whā National Marae in
Pages Rd.
MASTER CARVER:John
Rua working on a canoe
at Okains Bay Museum.
He carved 14 poupou
for the museum before
moving to the area and
continuing to carve
on-site for them. His
other work there
includes a meeting
house, two waka and a
pataka (traditional Maori
food store).
BAY HARBOUR
PASSIONATE: Blacksmith, farmer and
passionate collector Murray Thacker. ​
PAGE 5
Fire rages, homes at risk
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