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Heritage Talks and Events

The back view of a large seating gathering of people watching a presentation on a big screen

Monthly Heritage Talks

Our activities include monthly evening heritage talks at 7pm (February-November), where members and visitors can hear interesting speakers presenting on local and sometimes national historical content at the comfortable Waitakere Gardens Retirement Village Events Room, a short walk from Mill Cottage.

A koha donation can be made at the door and supper is provided at the completion of the talk. 

People seating in rows watching and listening to a presentation

February talk: The History of the Motor Car in Auckland with Barry Birchall

Two men admiring an old motor car

Wednesday 25 February at 7pm 

This is the story of how the motor vehicle transformed Auckland, and of how the barriers and obstacles presented by Auckland’s terrain and weather were overcome.

Barry will have some of his books available for sale.

March talk: Kiwi Country - Rural New Zealand in 100 objects with Te Radar and Ruth Spencer

Wednesday 25 March at 7pm

Te Radar and wife Ruth Spencer will give us an insight into their newly published book which covers dog whistles, the 44-gallon drum, chicken feeders, bottle-screw caps, bull semen straws and much more.

Books will be available for sale.

April talk: Kauri Gum History by David Pickens

Parked trams all lined up in a shed

Wednesday 22 April at 7pm

The talk defines what kauri gum is, the many uses Maori found for it, and it's place in Maori mythology.  Then in the 1840s the kauri gum industry opened up new opportunities for European immigrants, particularly the Dalmatians.  By the 1980s, growing scarcity and emergence of synthetics all but ended the kauri gum industry.  

Auckland Heritage Festival

We participate in the annual  Auckland Heritage Festival where you can search What’s On in West Auckland and wider Auckland. 

Auckland Council promotional graphic