Local elders are reconnecting with their history through special trips to the Auckland Museum, thanks to support from the Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local boards.
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair, Apulu Reece Autagavaia, explains that recent trips to the museum for local elders reflect a long-standing desire to make the museum more accessible to Pacific and ethnic communities.
“The plan is to make the Auckland Museum easier for mātua to access. We suggested either bringing parts of the collection out to South Auckland or helping people travel to the museum…and travel we did.
“It was special because some of them had lived in Central Auckland during the 70s and 80s, and they had old clippings - clippings and photos from that time — so they recognised a lot of those faces, either family or church friends.
“They started sharing stories, and it’s a beautiful way for them to see our history being kept by the Auckland Museum. It’s important that the museum does have these opportunities.”
A busload ready to explore. Image: Filemu-Romana Fetu Facebook.
The Local Boards support several community programs, including initiatives that help local mātua (seniors) connect with regional facilities like the museum.
In early March, a group of mātua from Whare Koa Community House took up the opportunity to visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
This group were of Māori, Pacific, and Asian backgrounds - hopped on a bus in South Auckland and headed to Parnell. Together, they spent the day exploring the Auckland War Memorial Museum connecting with history, culture, and each other.
Having a good time. Image: Filemu-Romana Fetu Facebook.
For many on the trip, this was their first time visiting. Some shared personal stories of the challenges they faced in those years, making the experience even more meaningful.
“These are the very places that should be enriched and easily accessible to our seniors. That’s why we support unique visits like these to the museum’s Pacific collection, as part of a wider effort to improve access and representation,” says Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich. “Barriers like transport, mobility, cost, and confidence often stand in the way — but our local boards are helping bridge that gap for our mātua.”
Explorers for a day.
The Auckland Museum features significant Māori and Pacific collections.
This excursion, the first of the year, was made possible by the local boards, Auckland Council’s Community Programme Delivery South, and a dedicated team of volunteers.
“The local boards are proud to support these efforts,” Apulu says. “Through initiatives like this, we’re strengthening ties between our communities and regional institutions, ensuring our seniors stay engaged, informed, and connected to their heritage.”
Connected and engaged. Images: Filemu-Romana Fetu Facebook.
Apulu hopes the partnership will grow and bring parts of the collection to South Auckland. “I’d love to see that happen,” he says. “Otherwise, I’m happy to keep bringing our elderly into the museum. It’s a great day out for them, and it ensures they know that our heritage in Auckland is being cared for. We’ve got another lovely trip coming up with the Eva ma le Koko and Te Puke ō Tara seniors in Ōtara and it’s going to be great!”
Bakulich adds, “We’ve got one more special trip coming up with the Kāinga Ora Te Motu Way residents, alongside Vaka Tautua. What we’re doing here is special, it means a lot for our elders to see, hear, have access to and share in these experiences. It’s a wonderful way for the Museum to make sure these experiences are accessible for them too.”
This trip followed a similar visit last year, where mātua visited the Pacific collection at the Auckland Central Library.
Mātua enjoying themselves. Images: Filemu-Romana Fetu Facebook.
These experiences are important, and it’s vital that these stories and collections remain accessible to our people.
Chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia (second left) alongside Gillianne Ray of Council’s Community Programme Delivery - South (centre), who organised the museum trips.
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