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Last modified: 16 Oct 2023 1:56pm

image of a museum display case with a medal and photos in it

Do you know the historic importance of a pie for Hororātā, or that Selwyn once hosted a New Zealand Airforce base?

New treasures of the district’s heritage and fresh stories have been revealed in new heritage displays at Te Ara Ātea.

The 20 heritage exhibition cases housed throughout the community and cultural centre and library have had their first update since it opened in 2021.

From ancient pounamu to the stories behind three historic eggbeaters, these treasures tell the stories of our district and Rolleston town, preserving the rich tapestry of our local history.

Council Culture, Content and Learning Manager Mat Logan says the commitment to storytelling is evident in this update.
“The new exhibits aim to engage the community in a fresh and exciting way, making the heritage collection not just a static display but a living narrative that continues to evolve”.

One of the new exhibits features the engineering wonder of the Ōtira rail tunnel. A link connecting the east and west coasts of Te Waipounamu the South Island.

The exhibit celebrates and acknowledges the brave people who endured harsh conditions to live and work at the tunnel. A commemorative 18-carat gold medal, inscribed “East and West Meet”, is a highlight of the exhibit and is on loan from Massey University in Wellington.

The medal was presented to Prime Minister William Massey in 1923 at the opening ceremony by John Hoglund, a storekeeper at work camps along the railway line for 36 years.

Te Ara Ātea invites everyone to explore these updated heritage cases and be part of the ongoing cultural experience it provides for our community.