The Te Papa museum had a lot of information about New Zealand’s history, impact, and culture. It was neat hearing some personal stories about why people migrated: some were refugees, some were wealthy land owners looking to expand, and others were searching for new job opportunities. There was also plenty to learn about native species and efforts to prevent them from going extinct. For example, numbers of the kakapo bird were as low as only 55 left before breeding efforts. Several years later, there were over 80. Clearly much work still has to be done, but saving native species from extinction is essential to preserving New Zealand’s unique biodiversity. We can’t let the kakapo or other animals become the next exhibit!
We also got to learn even more about Maori culture. I had heard of the Treaty of Waitangi, which claimed to ensure Maori protection under the British empire but was regarded with suspicion by several chiefs. Regardless, it was an important document to New Zealand history and culture. We also saw the devastating effects of WW1 through the gigantic 2.4 scale figures. We got to see an old toothbrush, made of animal bone, and understood the scant rations of water they received. Overall the Te Papa museum was a great New Zealand experience!
