Waikato Museum reveals another face of Waikato River

Waikato Museum visitors are invited to experience the Waikato River as a thriving nightlife scene as another segment of the Mighty River Waikato: from Hinaki to Hydropower exhibition will be launched on 25 July 08.

The Mighty River Waikato: from Hinaki to Hydropower is a landmark destination exhibition that presents comprehensive information about the Waikato River's diverse attributes.

Waikato Museum Director Kate Vusoniwailala says that just as the river's role in our community has changed, The Mighty River Waikato: from Hinaki to Hydropower will continue to evolve and this second instalment to the exhibition will highlight another dimension in the river's unique role.

"The Waikato River has served a variety of purposes in our community through the years which has cemented it as an integral resource. The first chapter told through The Mighty River Waikato: from Hinaki to Hydropower explored the river's ecology and explored the human influence on the river and it's wildlife from pre-European times through to the modern day impact of pollution and introduced species. This next chapter turns the page on the river's focus, from ecology to as a transportation highway for goods and industry and also as a source of pleasure. In later years the river became an avid nightlife scene, as large paddle steamers such as the Manuwai travelled its course through Hamilton while hosting dinner dances and jazz parties.

"Through this next instalment to the exhibition, children will have the opportunity to experiment with boat design and find out why waka and other watercraft are shaped like eels.

"Other highlights include porthole views through which visitors can observe a series of diorama showing the Manuwai paddle steamer cruising along the river on a balmy summer's evening and be introduced to the legendary old man of the river, Caesar Roose, founder of the local shipping empire The Roose Shipping Company.

The Mighty River Waikato: from Hinaki to Hydropower is sponsored by Mighty River Waikato and supported by Environment Waikato. It opened on 27 October 2007 and will run through until 2010 with new instalments scheduled every six to eight months.