Objects and Memorabilia

Finding Ireland on the banks of the Waikato

Waikato Museum's Crystal Ardern traces the movements of a well-travelled wicker basket from the 19th century. - More

Mayor's chair bonds present with past

His name was Bond, James Shiner Bond, and an impressive kauri chair he used as mayor of Hamilton is in good condition at Waikato Museum. Mr Bond was mayor from 1905 to 1909. A chair, a cradle and a photo are the latest treasures Waikato Times city editor Mary Anne Gill finds in Waikato Museum's basement. - More

Instruments among saddler's memorabilia

A concertina in the basement of Waikato Museum reveals the owner was a man of many interests, writes Mary Anne Gill. A concertina seems to be an odd thing for a saddler to have in his possession, but the musical instrument at Waikato Museum is not the only sign David Gardiner didn't just make saddles. - More

Love of Waikato rugby endures

In storage at Waikato Museum lies 1950s' Mooloo memorabilia. Crystal Ardern catches up with the donor and delves into the beginnings of Mooloo Magic. - More

Radio with a new station in life

The days of gramophones and early portable radios are recalled at Waikato Museum, writes Mary Anne Gill. - More

Snippets of life revealed in scripts

Lester Thorley learns about some international links to Hamilton through letters written decades ago. - More

God Save the memorabilia

Waikato Museum's collection attests to New Zealand's enduring fascination with the royals. - More

The art of war - Pacific Style

The Waikato Museum collection contains an array of Pacific weaponry gruesome enough to strike fear into anyone's heart, writes Crystal Ardern. - More

A Captain's uniform

Food shortages, frigid weather, a lack of arable land and the threat of battle – what better time to hold a ball? - More

Solomon Island Treasures

Bamboo tongs, shark carvings and dancing sticks seem a strange lot to group together. But each item is part of the significant Solomon Islands collection held at the Waikato Museum. - More

A wartime wife's best friend

A little short on whipped cream? Try slicing a banana into the white of an egg and beating until stiff. Need the butter to go further? Mix 1 tbsp with 1tbsp of warm milk before spreading on sammies. - More

Board games from the collection

In an age of wireless controllers, and where even monopoly is a Playstation game, it’s a thrill to unearth this charming set in the Museum collection. Complete with a wooden spinner, the board is in great condition, even if the box is a little tattered. - More

Fans from the collection

Up on a stepladder in Collection Storage, amidst the old razors and pillboxes and neatly stored brollys, I found a fan. A black, ostrich feather fan, with delicate ribs and extravagant plumage. It was thick and full and in pristine condition, just begging to see the light. - More

Ciggies and Smokes

From tobacco tins to cigarette boxes, the shelves in storage bay one are awash with smoking paraphernalia of every kind. Lighters, match boxes, ciggy holders, ash trays, pipes, collectible cards – the list goes on, and pays testament to the uber cool status puffing away on a small smoking object once had. - More

Winston Wonders

Voted greatest ever Briton in 2002, Sir Winston Churchill has a Hamilton connection. So how does a letter from the greatest ever Briton become part of the collection at the Waikato Museum? - More