The building itself does not, I thought, make the impact I have come to expect from significant modern structures. Whatever those who know about these things say about it, I thought the building from the outside was disappointing.
But inside it was a different story. There is a vast space with lots of scope for arranging exhibits in an exciting way.The exhibits tell the story of the formation of modern New Zealand, geologically, biologically and socially.
Here, in a compelling and expert way, that story of discovery and destruction that has enthralled and horrified me is told again.
Here are the accounts of those who came from the four corners of the world, and persevered against all manner of obstacles, in the hope of making good. Here are voiced the regrets that so much of what made the country unique was lost in the process of its settlement.
And here are the voices of hope for the future, telling of the efforts that are bring made to regain some of the paradise lost.
I stopped to listen to video and recordings of immigrants and their descendants and suddenly found myself watching the Helston Flora dance over the voice of a man telling of his grandparents who'd come from a mining community in Cornwall but who had been driven by the hardships there to emigrate to New Zealand.
Yes, Te Papa is definitely worth a visit. We can all find a connection to, and learn from, the stories that are told there. If you're like me, you'll be inspired by them too.
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