what's on
6 December to 26 June 2012
Death and Diversity
Explore the diverse practices and rituals surrounding death through the experiences of members of Wellington’s Assyrian, Chinese, Colombian, Hindu, Jewish, Mexican and Muslim communities.
Find out about the changes these groups have made since arriving in New Zealand, and about other recent developments in funeral and mourning practices.
See the events for FEBRUARY
See the events for MARCH
Death & Diversity e-news: issue 1
Death & Diversity e-news: issue 2
Death & Diversity e-news: issue 3
In collaboration with the Office of Ethnic Affairs, sponsored by New Zealand Police, supported by Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand, and in association with Voice Arts Trust and The Film Archive.
Koha entry
Duration: 45 mins
Bookings essential
Sea of Stories
On the windswept North Sea coast, Freya’s father is the last working fisherman. But when he is lost at sea Freya must set sail to rescue him from the underworld. A Seadog Production, this is performed promenade-style with puppets, sirens and storms in the Museum’s atmospheric setting as part of the Death and Diversity exhibition.
A Fringe Festival event
Performance dates:
Thursday 23rd February - 7pm
Friday 24th February - 7pm
Saturday 25th February - 7pm
Sunday 26th February - 5pm
24 February
to 18 March
12-6pm
Koha entry
Black in Fashion
From the all black uniforms of our sports teams to that icon of Kiwiana, the black singlet, black is the colour most commonly associated with New Zealand identity. Through garments by leading designers, a c1890 Victorian dress and leather jacket from the film Once Were Warriors, the subject of how and why black has become part of our proud identity as New Zealanders is explored.
Black in Fashion is a pop-up exhibition located across the road from the museum at 1 Brandon Street.
Garments shown at London Fashion Week 1999. L to R: Zambesi, Nom*D, World, courtesy of the designers. Photo: Sarah Munro
Part of the New Zealand International Arts Festival, this exhibition is presented by the New Zealand Fashion Museum in association with the Museum of Wellington City & Sea.
screens every 30 minutes
The Wahine Disaster
On 10 April 1968, the inter-island ferry, the Wahine, sailed into a savage storm and sank at the entrance to Wellington harbour. Fifty-one people died on the day and a further two people died from injuries sustained during the sinking. This dramatic documentary details the tragic event.
screens every 30 minutes
Maori creation legends
Māori creation legends are told in A Millennium Ago - a dramatic 12-minute show with special effects. Learn about the Taniwha that created Wellington’s harbour and hear how Māui tricked his grandmother into giving him fire.
Telling Tales - Wellington's 20th century
Follow the timeline of significant events of 20th Century Wellington: when Cinerama was the snazziest new thing, you could ride an elephant at the Zoo, and 3693 bodies were disinterred to build a motorway.
Discover the stories behind New Zealand's nuclear-free stance
The 1913 Strike - War on the Wharves
Early Wellington
Find out what daily life was like in 1900s Wellington: in the classroom, at home, at work and at leisure. Pick up a telephone and hear from people a century ago.
Queens Wharf - taken from the roof of the Bond Store
barques & shipwrecks
Voyage through 800 years of Wellington's maritime history, hop into the captain's cabin or see the 4.5m model of the Pamir.
The Captain's Cabin
can you spot the rat?
1890s Bond Store
Step into a 100 year old cargo warehouse; complete with authentic sights, sounds and smells – including virtual vermin!
The Bond Store
Did you know... two time capsules are hidden inside The Bond Store. One was placed in the building’s foundations in 1891. A second was added 100 years later as the Harbour Board marked its centenary.