Thames Museum Te Whare Taonga o te Kauaeranga

04/06/2026

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Find out more about King Charles III and the Royal Family at the Thames Museum at Kōtuia ngā Kete Connecting Collections, Aotearoa New Zealand

03/06/2026

LOST LANDMARKS. Top left another of our new donations thanks to Peter. The two storied house was located on corner of Queen and Abraham Streets (see lower left 1947 aerial).
Over the years the house was a popular subject for artists such as late Doug Barker (top right) and David McCarthy (Lower right).

Photograph: Thames Museum Peter Sephton Collection

03/06/2026

Days don't get better than this!! A phone call alerted us that our new 'donation' had left 'port' and was steaming to Thames as we spoke. The voyage went smoothly and soon Rosemary and Alvin appeared bearing a NEW MODEL organised by Don on behalf of "Greenwich Gardens Workshop".
An amazing team effort to safely deliver a miniature replica of our treasured paddle steamer that transported thousands of Thamesites to and from Auckland and on private excursions.
Yes, the self proclaimed model capitol of New Zealand has another unique model to add to the collection!!!

02/06/2026

DID YOU KNOW? Missionaries introduced the first orange trees in Northland in 1819. When did citrus trees first make it to the Hauraki area? Did they come with the missionaries to Puriri and Pārāwai or did local iwi plant them? Soon after the goldfield opened there are reports of 'great' orchards. In 1879 Mr Smyth of Tapu had over 700 varieties of fruit trees and in one consignment sent 50 cases of lemons to Wellington.
Today the trees are loaded with fruit - what's your favourite recipe using all the citrus available?

02/06/2026

The week has kicked off with some photo donations (hard copy & scans). I know you will love this one below.
Thames Hui Mai Junior Rugby Team, 1967
Winners of Junior and Knockout Competitions
Back row: R E Knight, K J Murray, J M Kanara, B R Wilson, H Te Wani, P Sephton.
Centre Row: R E Pascoe, I Gage, R Murray, L Halsey, G Johnston, G Te Wani.
Sitting: G Avery, D R Dunlop (Coach), J T Brooks, J W McLiver (Manager), L Strong
Mascot: D W Dunlop.
Insets: S Wallace, P Taylor, P Gurnick.
Source: Thames Museum, P Sephton Collection

01/06/2026

SEE THE TOWN WITH OLD EYES. Travel west off the Cochrane and Pollen St intersect and you would have found C & E Carriage Factory. Collins & Eaddy would fix your wagon or coach, or even shoe your horse. Essential service in the 1910s! Also stabling for horses available next door on the corner of Kirkwood Street.

01/06/2026

PS. More to the previous post. the Royal Hotel lives on in the Ted Egan Gallery and also two plates from the hotel...the little extras that help keep our history alive.

01/06/2026

The museum has a large collection of directories & books which feature photo advertisements such as the 1918 one on the right for the Royal Hotel at corner of Williamson and Brown Streets.
The first hotel on the site opened in 1869 as THE THEATRE ROYAL, HOTEL & CAFE and was burnt down in 1903. The second hotel building opened in 1904 and closed in 1951.
The Royal Hotel was one of the six that were axed in the Licensing Control Commission Review, which forced the hotel to close in 1951. One of the arguments for saving the license was the valuable accommodation offered to the workforce in the area, but all pleas were to no avail. The building was bought by A & G Price Limited to be turned into apartments, “or ‘transit" housing for employees particularly those coming from England.”

31/05/2026

King's Birthday weekend 2026, the museum has a large collection of Royal related objects principally from the Barry Thorburn Collection. While a permanent display is maintained you can search our catalogue and see a wide variety of memorabilia. Museum open today as normal 10am to 1pm. Museum catalogue: https://ehive.com/collections/3281/thames-museum-te-whare-taonga-o-te-kauaeranga

31/05/2026

Cruising the roads 1914 style. For decades, there weren't many cars in Thames and the service cars aka taxis were in great demand. Bowles (previously White's) popular, located at northern end of Pollen Street by the Salvation Army Hall. A ride in the Cadillac to or from Tararu was one shilling, while a trip to the wharf was sixpence.