Latest Displays
David Barber - one of New Zealand's most travelled journalists
This Olivetti Lettera 32, a portable typewriter made in Italy in 1963, went around the world several times with long-time Waikanae resident David Barber, one of New Zealand's most travelled journalists.
David reported from 55 countries as a foreign correspondent with the late New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) and a freelance reporting for some of the world's top newspapers, including The Independent, London, the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Melbourne, the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong and the German Press Agency DPA. He was the only print journalist on HMNZS Otago, which then prime minister Norman Kirk sent to protest French atmospheric nuclear tests in the Pacific in 1973.
Mechanical typewriters such as the Lettera 32 were replaced by electronic machines like this Sharp Portable Intelliwriter PA-1000, introduced in 1984, which David used before the arrival of computers and laptops. It was one of the first typewriters with a memory system and showed a full line of text on a screen, allowing it to be corrected electronically before printing on thermal paper.
The Waikanae River Bridges
Big poster bringing together our photos of the river crossing covering 138 years of progress have now been brought together in this impressive montage. You need to see the real thing in the museum to appreciate it properly—it’s very big!
World War One (WWI)
Our two cabinets devoted to military matters were looking a bit cramped and disorganised. Fortunately a young lady by the name of Amber van der Heyden has approached us and asked if she can help. She has an interest in creating effective displays, so the museum has been happy to give her a project to work on. The photo shows part of the first display cabinet she has tackled—it is looking so much more co- ordinated, with labelling of items being a consistent font and size. As at the end of March, the second military display cabinet is a work in progress. The committee appreciate Amber’s work very much—long may it continue! We are grateful to Spotlight Paraparaumu for donating material that is now the backdrop for the two military display cabinets.
Visit our Military Memorabilia's collection
The Port Family
We are fortunate to have been the recipient of an extensive collection of historic items donated by several families with longstanding connections to the Kāpiti region. One of the most prominent families associated with farming and industry in the Waikanae and Reikorangi districts from late 19th and early 20th century onwards was that of Robert John Port.