Paekakariki Station Museum

22/10/2026

Kiwirail Tamper Group have been parked up at Paekakariki for a couple of days..waiting for the weekend to get their work done.

14/10/2026

Ever wondered who actually made the classic New Zealand Railways badges? The answer might surprise you! 🚂🇳🇿

As showcased in this heritage collection poster the intricate N.Z.R. Monogram and N.Z. Railways Insignia, alongside specific frontline role badges: Guard, Porter, Signalman, Shunter, and Storeman.

These gleaming nickel badges were a massive point of pride—especially for the Guards wearing them on their peaked uniform caps on the job.
While the designs were strictly homegrown—stylized and strictly controlled by the New Zealand Railways Publicity Department to maintain brand integrity—the physical manufacturing happened across the Tasman.

At the time, New Zealand simply lacked the specialized die-making and die-striking capabilities required to produce them to the necessary standard. Because of this, these iconic pieces of local history were actually manufactured by Stokes and Sons in Melbourne, Australia.

If they look familiar to our international friends, there's a reason! The NZR uniform guidelines drew heavy inspiration from British Railways and military specifications. Thanks to this influence, you can spot very similar badge styles across Australia and other former British colonies.

There were later trials to stamp and manufacture these badges locally here in Aotearoa. However, the quality of those domestic batches unfortunately fell below the high standard set by the Australian-made originals, making the Stokes and Sons pieces the definitive standard.

Here at Rails Aotearoa, we are dedicated to uncovering and preserving the craftsmanship and stories behind our railway uniform history.

Do you have any of these classic badges in your collection? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Mauri ora,
Kawe Roes
Rails Aotearoa

08/10/2026

Very honoured and pleased to show some visitors from San Francisco around the Museum yesterday. Thomas McGuinness, his wife and Daughter were in Paekakariki having a look around where the US Marines were stationed in the 1940s. Thomas's dad was one of the soldiers who spent time at Camp Mackay and Guadalcanal.

Its great to see these family members from Marines visit new Zealand.

02/10/2026

Miria Pomare holding the Hei Tiki – Kai Arero of her tūpuna Kahe o Te Rau o te Rangi @ Toi Mahara

Land, Women and Rangatiratanga closes on 1 November. Special events this day include a talk by kaitiaki taonga Miria Pomare, live music and toi demonstrations.

Sunday 1 November, 10:30am–3pm, entry is free.

Image: Miria Pomare holding the Hei Tiki – Kai Arero of her tūpuna Kahe o Te Rau o te Rangi.

01/10/2026

New exhibition @ Toi Mahara

The rangatiratanga of Kahe Te Rau o te Rangi and Te Rangitopeora was vital during a period of tumultuous societal change marked by migration, conflict, and rapid colonial expansion. Their combined legacy continues to inspire contemporary Māori leadership, particularly among wāhine.

Visit the exhibition to learn more about these two distinguished rangatira of Kāpiti who signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi to affirm their authority over the land.

📸 Huia feathers belonging to Te Rangitopeora.

30/09/2026

Here's an interesting link to a fascinating story that is on display at the Paekakariki Station Museum.

The Bell That Went To War.

A spur of the moment purchase made at the Nelson Salvation Army Family Store evolved into a story worth telling.  While it doesn’t involve medals, it does concern two soldiers, one a successful businessmen, company director, and a devoted contributor to his community and the nation; the other, al...

24/09/2026

Great work in Pauatahanui from the NZ Remembrance Army

24/09/2026

Not many people would know about this grave site in Pukerua Bay.

🇳🇿 37771 PRIVATE JOE BIRD COTTON (MANU KATENE)
Māori Pioneer Battalion – First World War
Pukerua Bay

There are graves scattered around New Zealand that tell far more than their headstones reveal.

One of them is the lonely war grave of Private Joe Bird Cotton, also known as Manu Katene, at Pukerua Bay.

Born at Motueka on 17 August 1898, Manu was the son of Wiremu (William) and Hareti (Harriette) Katene. He came from a large whānau of thirteen children, which was separated following the death of his mother.

When he enlisted in 1916, he did so under the name Joe Bird Cotton. His military papers gave his birth year as 1896, making him appear 20. In reality, he had only just turned 18.

Before the war he was working as a fitter on John Wall's farm at Porirua.

On 16 October 1916 he entered camp as 37771 Private Joe Bird Cotton, initially with E Company, 22nd Reinforcements. After several transfers he joined the Māori Reinforcements.

On 26 April 1917, he sailed from New Zealand.

After reaching England and training at Sling Camp, he crossed to France in September 1917 and joined the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, commonly known as the Māori Pioneer Battalion.

The Pioneers performed some of the hardest and most dangerous work on the Western Front — constructing and repairing roads, trenches, communication routes and other infrastructure, frequently under enemy artillery fire.

For Manu, the war took a terrible toll.

He was hospitalised in France in December 1917. He was admitted again in March 1918 and spent around two months away from his battalion before returning in June.

Then, in August 1918, he was hospitalised once more.

This time he did not return to the front.

He was evacuated to England and eventually treated at the New Zealand General Hospital at Hornchurch.

Buried amongst the medical entries in his service record are two haunting words:

“War psychosis.”

Today we would recognise that soldiers could suffer profound psychological trauma from prolonged exposure to combat. During the First World War it was commonly described under terms including “shell shock.”

Manu had survived the shells and battlefields of France, but like thousands of others, the war had left wounds that could not necessarily be seen.

He remained in England during his recovery before embarking for New Zealand aboard the SS Westmoreland on 22 February 1919.

He came home.

Today, his grave lies at Pukerua Bay.

It is one of those small, easily overlooked places of remembrance that reminds us why we search for these men and tell their stories.

Behind 37771 Private Joe Bird Cotton was Manu Katene — a young Māori man from a large whānau who went overseas, served with the Pioneer Battalion on the Western Front, became seriously unwell through his wartime service, and eventually returned to the country he had left as a teenager.

More than a century later, his service deserves to be remembered.

37771 Private Joe Bird Cotton (Manu Katene)
New Zealand Pioneer Battalion
Lest We Forget.

🇳🇿🌿

New Zealand Remembrance Army – remembering the people behind the names.

01/07/2026

Very pleased that Paekakariki Station Precinct Trust has been nominated for a 2026 Kāpiti Good Sorts Award. The ceremony is on Thursday 6th August.

Thanks very much to all our supporters and volunteers who continue to give their time & effort without this nothing would be possible.

Its great to be recognised by these awards.

17/06/2026

Very interesting group of people from local camera clubs visited us on June 9th. Arriving by train coming from both directions.

It was great to see what they concentrated on for their shots. Hope you got some good stuff.

Thanks for coming