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Getting a better IDEA of our collection

A new three-year project aiming to digitise over 80,000 of the Museum's 4.5 million items is shedding new light on the country's largest collection of specimens, objects and archival documents. Project Coordinator Ian Proctor discusses the Improved Documentation Enhanced Access (IDEA) project.

Sharks: Reality bites

As summer arrives, the perceived threat of sharks is once again being brought into our collective consciousness. But are sharks really a threat to you, or do they just have a case of bad PR? Auckland Museum’s new shark-damaged surfboard tells a curious story of our misguided fears about the species and acts as a starting point for exploring opposing perspectives.

Three more reasons to visit Te Ao Mārama

Architecture admirers take note: There are now three more reasons to visit Auckland Museum's revitalised South Atrium entry precinct, with the space taking out three categories at the New Zealand Architecture Awards.

Why Auckland Museum acquired a bench from Karangahape Road

Behind the stories of the diverse and dynamic life of Karangahape Road, sits Auckland Museum’s newest acquisition: a bench. Curator, Applied Arts & Design Grace Lai explores how the stories of this bench encapsulates why public furniture is so important for supporting community spaces.

Haeata: a kōrero with artist Ngataiharuru Taepa

In this blog, we kōrero with Prof Ngataiharuru Taepa about growing up amongst artists, kōwhaiwhai as language, and having work on the walls of a space filled with the incredible work of ancestors.

Good on paper

In this blog, we speak to Paper Conservator Erin Walker about the ethics of conservation and how she ensured some of the letters in Love & Loss were ready for their time in the spotlight.

What we’re excited to see again

Who better to advise you on the best things to see at the Museum than the very people who put them on display? We asked our curators what Collections items they're most excited to see again when the Museum reopens to help you prepare the perfect must-see list.

Pa Atu ma Kahoa

Pa Atu ma Kahoa: The pearl-shell lures and pendants of Tokelau. As part of Tokelau Language Week, Curator Pacific Fuli Pereira discusses the importance of pearl-shell fish lures in Tokelau culture and how these are circulated in the most egalitarian of communities

Weaving the present

As part of Niue Language Week, Paulina Bentley (Tautai Intern, Pacific Collection) writes about the stroke of luck that saw her discover a family connection within the Pacific Collection of taoga Niue.

Out of Office

The initial Level 4 Covid-19 Lockdown took the entire country by surprise, but as Auckland re-entered a Level 3 situation, the Museum teams were ready for business-not-as-usual. Read about some of the mahi Museum staff did behind closed doors to look after both the collections and each other.

Don't judge a book by its cover

In this blog Paula Legel (Associate Curator, Heritage Publications) details her discovery of Ellen Ellis’ rare novel, and the unusual circumstances that drove her to find out more.

Mapping Ma′uke and the Cook Islands

In this blog and video for Cook Islands Language Week, Ma’ara Maeva (Learning Specialist) and Paula Legel (Associate Curator, Heritage Manuscripts) zoom in on an early map of Ma’ara's home island of Ma’uke, and trace links between names on Ma’uke and places right here in Tāmaki Makaurau.

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