Papakura & District Historical Society Inc

In 1961, the Hunua branch of the Federated Farmers proposed the formation of a historical society to the Papakura Borough Council. Councillors Ernie Clarke and Deryck Milne were selected to begin work on the proposal and on 6 December 1961, an initial planning meeting was attended by 29 members of the community. The first official meeting of the Papakura and District Historical Society (PDHS) took place on 20 March 1962.

The late Ernest "Ernie" Clarke became the first President of the PDHS (1962-1966), was heavily involved in the process of establishing the Papakura Museum, wrote and edited many of the Papakura Museum’s and PDHS’s publications, and originally the Papakura Museum was named and dedicated to his memory.

In February 1972, the Papakura Council granted the PDHS two rooms in a house at 33 Coles Cresent to house artefacts that had been collected by the PDHS. Artefacts had previously been housed in members' private homes. In September 1972, the first exhibition of the PDHS's collection was held at this location in collaboration with the Papakura Potters Society. In 1973, the Papakura Museum opened to the public on Wednesday afternoons.

The PDHS meets in the Community Meeting Room in the Accent Point Building, next to the Edmund Hillary Library and across from the Papakura Museum, on the 4th Thursday of the month (from February to November) at 1pm. Interesting and relevant guest speakers present on a historical topic. Our monthly meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Afternoon tea is provided, a gold coin donation is appreciated. PDHS trips are announced and discussed at the monthly meetings, detailed in Meetings & Events, also in the monthly newsletter and Sentinel Issues (PDHS’s bi-monthly publication). The Sentinel and trip information are emailed to members. The annual membership fee (2024/2025 year) is $25.00 per person. To become a member please go to our Membership & Donations page.

2024/2025 Executive Committee

Margaret Gane – President
Rob Finlay – Vice President/Secretary
Erwin de Raad – Treasurer
Wendy Gibson
Christine Muir
Wendy Deeming
Sue Smurthwaite