Papakura Museum

07/10/2026

The story behind our Manurewa No 1 model

Visitors often ask about the aircraft model on display at Papakura Museum—so we’ve looked into the story behind it!
Trevor White of Manukau built this one-fifth-scale replica of the Walsh brothers’ 1911 biplane for the 75th anniversary of their first flight at Takaanini in 1986.
With a three-metre wingspan, the model took around 200 hours to construct, with help from Trevor’s wife Mary, also a model-aircraft enthusiast. Trevor used photographs and plans held at MOTAT to recreate its distinctive structure.
Could it fly? It was designed to! Powered by a 22 cc engine, it was capable of radio-controlled flight. When the Manukau Courier featured it in March 1986, Trevor was still waiting for suitable wind conditions to attempt its first flight.
Come and take a closer look at this fascinating piece of local aviation history.

Trevor White holds his one-fifth-scale Manurewa One model. Photograph reproduced in the Manukau Courier, 13 March 1986.

24/09/2026

A familiar sight for many Papakura locals — the Papakura Bus Terminal as it looked back in 2003.

For many people, this was part of the daily routine: catching the bus to work or school, heading into town, meeting friends, or simply waiting around for the next connection.

What do you remember about the Papakura Bus Terminal?

Did you regularly catch a bus from here? Where were you heading? Maybe you remember a particular driver or bus route — or perhaps even a few stories about skipping school and ending up here instead!

We’d love to hear your memories and stories. Share them in the comments below.

22/09/2026

SPECIAL LRDG BOOK OFFER – ONLY A FEW COPIES LEFT!

Papakura Museum still has a few signed copies of Captive Scorpion by renowned Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) author and historian Brendan O’Carroll available for sale.

Special discounted exhibition price: $70
Normally retailing for around $80–$90.

Each copy is personally signed by Brendan O’Carroll.

Cash payment is preferred, although payment by direct bank transfer is also available.

There are only a few copies remaining at the museum at this special price, so if you would like one, make sure you don’t miss out!

11/09/2026

REMINDER – MUSEUM TALK

Join us at Papakura Museum on Saturday 19 September at 11.00am for a special presentation on the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) by renowned author and historian Brendan O’Carroll.

Brendan will share the remarkable story of the LRDG and the New Zealanders who served with this legendary desert reconnaissance unit during the Second World War.

SPECIAL BOOK OFFER

Brendan will also have signed copies of his book Captive Scorpion available at a special LRDG exhibition price of $70 – normally retailing for around $80–$90.

Cash payment is preferred, although payment by direct bank transfer will also be available.

Saturday 19 September 2026
11.00am
Papakura Museum

We’re looking forward to a fantastic morning of military history. If you’ve already RSVP’d, we look forward to seeing you there!

08/09/2026

Join us as our speaker Brendan O’Carroll, explores the Long-Range Desert Group (LRDG), the legendary reconnaissance unit that operated deep behind enemy lines in the North Africa desert during the Second World War. Discover the remarkable role played by New Zealanders in the LRDG and hear the stories of the men known as the ‘Kiwi Scorpions.’

Saturday, September 19th at 11am

RSVP- [email protected]

26/08/2026

PAPAKURA, 2000 — WHO REMEMBERS SOUNDS?

A familiar view of Great South Road, Papakura, around the turn of the millennium.

Featured here is Sounds — a regular stop for CDs, music, movies and browsing through the latest releases. Before streaming became part of everyday life, a trip into a music store was often how you discovered what you were listening to next!

Who remembers shopping at Sounds in Papakura?
What was the first CD, album or tape do you remember buying there?

We'd love to hear your memories of Papakura's Town Centre around this time.

11/08/2026

How did people travel through Papakura before there were roads?
Long before streets, railways and bridges, Māori travelled through a sophisticated network of ara hīkoi (walking tracks), ara moana (waterways), and tō waka (portages). These routes connected people, places, food sources, trade, and whakapapa, shaping the landscape we still know today.

Many of today’s roads and transport corridors follow the same natural pathways first established centuries ago.

Discover the fascinating story of Papakura’s earliest transport network and see our landscape from a whole new perspective.

Read the full blog on our website.
https://papakuramuseumblog.wordpress.com/2026/06/27/walking-the-shape-of-the-land/

Originally written by Alan Knowles for The Papakura Sentinel and reproduced with acknowledgement to the Papakura & District Historical Society.

Early Māori Walking Tracks of the Papakura District Alan Knowles Introduction: reading a landscape made for movement Long before survey pegs, road names, and suburban boundaries, the Papakura distr…

04/08/2026

HerStory: Alice Eleanor Cossey

Born in Drury in 1879, Alice Eleanor Cossey became one of New Zealand’s first professional female union leaders. For almost three decades she served as Secretary of the Auckland Tailoresses’ Union, campaigning for fair wages, better working conditions, and equal pay for women.

Her dedication helped shape the rights of working women across New Zealand and left a lasting legacy.

Read the full story on our blog.
https://papakuramuseumblog.wordpress.com/2026/06/27/alice-cossey-pioneer-of-womens-unionism-in-new-zealand/

Originally written and compiled by Wendy Deeming for The Papakura Sentinel, Issue 81, February to March 2026. Reproduced with acknowledgement to the Papakura & District Historical Society.

02/08/2026

From the Collection: Blade Sharpener for a Horse Drawn Sickle Bar Mower c.1930
Keeping a mower sharp was essential during haymaking. This hand cranked blade sharpener was used on a local Alfriston farm to sharpen each blade on a horse drawn sickle bar mower, helping keep one of the farm’s most important machines working efficiently.

Discover how this clever tool helped power New Zealand farming before tractors became common.
Read the full story on our blog.
https://papakuramuseumblog.wordpress.com/2026/06/27/evolution-of-horse-drawn-mowers-historical-insights/

Originally published in The Papakura Sentinel and reproduced with acknowledgement to the Papakura & District Historical Society.

28/07/2026

Papakura Railway Station has changed dramatically over the years, but for many locals it remains a place full of memories.

From steam locomotives and troop trains to towering eucalyptus plantations that once lined the railway reserve, this fascinating look back captures a very different Papakura.

Read the blog to discover stories of childhood adventures, wartime rail traffic, and the trees that once became one of Papakura’s most recognisable landmarks.

https://papakuramuseumblog.wordpress.com/2026/06/26/papakura-railway-station-memories/