Te Papa’s Rūaumoko Exhibition Comes to Taupō

Toka Tū Ake public education manager Hamish Armstrong says the exhibition brings vital conversations to the forefront.

“We are a whenua of colliding and subducting plates that cause earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, and landslides,” he says. “We need to be talking about the risks they pose to our homes and people, and what we need to do to prepare.”

To complement the touring exhibition, Taupō Museum is also offering a free, interactive tour. This 60 minute session begins with a Civil Defence hazards and emergency preparedness talk, complete with spot prizes, before visitors join a guided tour of the Rūaumoko exhibition and the lakefront carvings.

Pip Dixon, Taupō District Council’s emergency management advisor, is looking forward to developing an emergency plan with curious visitors.

“We can’t predict when the ground will move, but we can decide how ready we’ll be,” she says.

“Our sessions turn concern into practical action - simple steps like understanding your local hazards, packing a grab bag, and making a whānau plan. Come along, bring your questions, and leave with a plan that fits your life.”

Sessions run every Thursday from 5 February to 19 March, with schools booked from 10.30am to 11.30am and public sessions from 1pm to 2pm. The tours begin at Taupō Museum, and entry is free. The sessions are presented by emergency management advisor Pip Dixon and programmes and events co-ordinator Jeffrey Addison.

Bookings are essential and can be made by emailing taupomuseum@taupo.govt.nz or phoning 07 376 0414.