Recent Exhibitions
Tall Ships - Maritime visitors to the Bay of Islands past and present.
A Kind of Fir - Kauri in the Bay of Islands.
Stephenson / Tiwene - is the story of an early bicultural family of Russell / Kororareka.
The Story Below - a fascinating insite to archaeological discoveries about our town.
Fullers, Bay of Islands - a history.
Windy Harbour - the story of Whangamumu whaling station.
Not Granny's Attic - Russell Museum's first 50 years.
Harakeke - New Zealand flax.
Through the Lens of a Camera - Russell in the 1950s and 60s. Photos by Ian Hanlon.
Special Exhibitions
The Marie King Gallery is the venue for special seasonal exhibitions. The Gallery was named for the museum's founding curator Marie Menary King QSM who served from 1956 - 86.
The gallery hosts four exhibitions a year and sometimes smaller theme corners. These are fascinating insights into the unique history of Russell / Kororareka.
Tio Reka / sweet oysters
From the 1870s large quantities of Rock oysters were picked in the Bay of Islands and shipped to the Auckland market.
In the 1960s oyster farming began in the area predominantly at Orongo Bay and Waikare Inlet. Ten years later a new species appeared on catching sticks – the Pacific oyster.
Faster growing, it became the farmed species of choice.
Over the last few years oyster farmers, in the Waikare, have struggled with problems of water quality. Today rigorous testing of water and oysters ensures oysters are harvested when conditions are optimum.
The Bay of Islands today still produces Tio Reka, sweet oysters.
Upcoming exhibitions:
| A Marae for Russell | Matariki |
June - July 2008 |
| Family Treasures and Kauri as Art |
Kauri Festival |
August - October 2008 |
| The American Connection | November 08 - January 09 |