Main Street Exhibition - extended

Our Main Street exhibition is going so well we've decided to extend it for a few more weeks. People are really enjoying seeing old places and faces they remember from "the good old days".

The old Main Street looking west past the Central Hotel (right). The Edhouses building is the two-storey brown building (centre).

New Exhibition

The Otaki Museum is proud to present the latest exhibition “Otaki Faces and Places” - a collection of images spanning 150 years, capturing both personalities and landscapes special to Otaki.

We invite you to view this exhibition which contains many images and taonga (treasures), some of which have not been on public display before. The museum is open 10am – 2pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday and we are happy to accommodate groups outside of these hours.

Latest Exhibition - Ernest Papps 13 November-23 November 2010

Local Artist - Ernest Papps

Born in England Ernest Papps came to New Zealand in 1955 settling in Wellington where he worked as a commercial artist. During this time Ernest would spend his weekends exploring the bush or roaming the streets of Wellington “dashing off watercolours”.

Ernest also found work as a free-lance illustrator. His illustrative work will be well known to generations of New Zealand children who grew up reading the hugely successful Price Milburn School Readers. Ernest illustrated more than 100 titles, many of which are here on display.

Since moving to Otaki in 1972 Ernest has been painting full-time. A keen nature lover and tramper Ernest’s oil paintings draw on the classical and traditional techniques of the old masters and are inspired by the light and colour of the New Zealand landscape. From the hills and beaches of the Kapiti Coast to the Whanganui River valley and the West Coast of the South Island, Ernest has spent the past fifty-five years capturing New Zealand’s awesome and diverse scenery on canvas.

Fascinated by the history and isolation of New Zealand pioneering life, stage coaches, gold miners and settlers have also been the subject of many of Ernest’s paintings. “What” he asks “could be more romantic than an old prospector following his dream”. Ernest’s work unashamedly celebrates New Zealand landscape, history and culture.

Otaki Museum is proud to present Ernest’s first solo exhibition in Otaki.

Colouring Competition - Click below

OUR WINNING ENTRY BY PAIGE, WAITOHU SCHOOL

All entries to be sent or delivered to Otaki Museum by 8 May 2010.

Larger copies available from the museum.

Latest exhibition - Summer 2009-10

The aim of the newly launched Pipi Trail is to tell stories of Otaki's past, highlighting the town’s most historic sites. As part of our summer exhibition, Otaki Museum is showcasing places along the Pipi Trail, including Te Wananga o Raukawa, All Saints Church, Rangiatea, Tainui Marae and St Mary's, Pukekaraka (150 years old in 2009!). Pipi Trail Brochures can be collected from the front desk. Enjoy!

Latest Exhibion - The Changing Face of Te Horo

Where We Are

Our Town

Otaki is one of New Zealand's oldest urban settlements and is the pre-eminent historical place on the Kapiti Coast. The town is situated on State Highway 1, half way between Wellington and Palmerston North. It marks the northernmost point of the Wellington Region. The town's population is 5600 (2001 Census).

The town is sited close to the banks of the Otaki River, some three kilometres from its outflow into the Tasman Sea. It is divided into three main parts, Otaki Beach which is mainly residential , the larger and more inland Otaki village which contains the museum, shops and residential areas and along State Highway 1, the part known locally as Otaki Railway.

Our Place

The Otaki Museum building is one of the most historic and prominent on Main street. It was originally built as the Bank of New Zealand in 1918. It was then the Council Chamber for the Otaki Borough Council from 1967 to 1989 and housed the local service centre of the Kapiti Coast District Council until 1998.

It has been restored by the Museum Trust from its near derelict condition to a state that reflects and respects its historic beginnings. The building incorporates fine timber panelling, an elegant staircase, stained glass windows and beautiful pressed metal ceilings.

To find us turn left at the roundabout on the Main Highway. Keep on driving until you reach the township...you can't miss us!