Never A Week Goes By

3 August 2015

An exhibition that features Taupo's sister city Noumea and tells the tale of how two Pacific colonies experienced World War I opens at Taupo Museum this weekend.

Never A Week Goes By is the story of South Otago and New Caledonia and how they and their people were impacted by World War I. It contrasts the two settlements' experiences during the Great War with soldiers' stories and focusses on five New Zealand men who perished in the war.

The exhibition also features images and details of New Zealand's essential industries at the time, tangata whenua and the lives of women in rural communities.

The New Caledonia content of the exhibition investigates the unique attributes of the nation and how French colonies reacted to the threat to their homeland. New Caledonia has its own indigenous people, the Kanaks, and their experiences are contrasted with New Zealand Maori.

Library and museum manager Luisa Haines said the exhibition would provide a fascinating insight into New Caledonia's capital Noumea, which is a sister city of Taupo. This is part of Noumea's history that our community would not normally be able to learn about, she said.

Never A Week Goes By was curated by South Otago Museum and is touring the country this year as part of the centenary commemorations for ANZAC Day.

It will be on display at Taupo Museum from August 8 to September 14. Taupo Museum is open seven days from 10am to 4.30pm. Entry is free to children and Taupo District residents with proof of address.

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For further information contact:

Kerence Stephen

Exhibitions Officer Taupo Museum

Ph 376 1583

kstephen@taupo.govt.nz

www.taupo.govt.nz