13 November 2020
Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Rotorua Museum COVID-19 collection
Enquiry
Reporter sought update on Rotorua Museum call for objects and stories reflecting life during the NZ COVID-19 level 4 lockdown and had the following questions:
- How was the response from the community to the call for objects and stories?
- What sorts of objects have been put forward so far?
- Why is it important to have records, objects etc from a time like this?
- Are there particular plans or ideas for what will happen with these objects/stories?
- Is there anything you would like to add? If there is any type of relevant photo available that would be great.
Response
From Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa Collection Lead, Cat Jehly:
[The objects and stories] were acquired so they can be preserved and made accessible for future generations, as part of the wider Museum collection.
We were really happy with the engagement in this project and it was clear that people appreciated the opportunity to share their stories and to offer items for the collection. So far we've accepted five offers for the collection, and are still working our way through other potential acquisitions.
We have been offered poems, ANZAC crafts, original artworks, digital images and videos, soft toys and signs.
COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, a huge effect on our community and our role as a museum includes gathering and preserving these experiences for the future. These objects tell the personal story of our region and how they coped during the pandemic. The purpose is to preserve these objects beyond our lifetime.
The Museum collection team really appreciated the time people took to share their experiences of lockdown with us, and the offers of personal items to be preserved as part of the history of Rotorua.
The Wilkins family donated a handmade sign and large unicorn and Mrs Wendy Wilkins had the following to say:
"Our kids made this sign the first day of lockdown to thank all the Essential Workers driving down Ngongotahā Road. The handprints were from each person in our family giving a high-five' or helping hand' to our community. The response was amazing when we did the clap at 7pm' every single night. We had loads of hoots & toots, trucks honking & sirens going all day and night - even when we weren't outside but our lights where on! Nurses, plumbers, police officers (who put the picture up in the Rotorua Police Station) Countdown workers, Fonterra truckers, ambulance workers, teachers, Infracore staff - all stopped in to thank the kids for their sign and smiles each day. It was just lovely to know that at a time of such uncertainty and fear, this simple sign made each day a little more hopeful, and that now in our back to normal' lives it's still remembered."
Local weaver, Anna Hayes, donated a harakeke woven Teddy Bear called Pūmahara (photo attached) and had the following to say:
As the whole country started to put Teddy Bears in their windows I felt a little left out as my teddy bears left home years ago. My passion is Māori weaving so I wove the attached bear from harakeke growing in my garden. When I created him, Easter time was approaching. I made him so that an Easter egg could be put inside him and he sat in our front window receiving many smiles. Weaving has been my saviour and I was so grateful for the ability to create during lockdown, something that appeared to bring joy to many. His name is Pūmahara which translates as wistful, nostalgic, thoughtful, or memory.
[Photographs of the items donated by the Wilkins family and Anna Hayes were provided for use with the article]