A black sign on a garage that has a white kiwi and a map of New Zealand drawn on it with the words "Unity within diversity"

History research: What we’re working on

Find out about some of the projects our History team is currently working on.

a split black and white image of two sitting men posing for a studio photograph.

Portraits of the Wellington Indian community

We are kaitiaki (caretakers) of many photographic portraits featuring members of Wellington’s Indian community and would like to identify the people in these portraits and learn something about their lives here, and to reconnect them with their descendants. Do you recognise any of the names or faces in this collection?

A pink mask on a mannequin head with the words "anti anti Asian" embroidered on it

Project: Asian mental health in Aotearoa New Zealand

Many individuals from, and working alongside, Asian diasporas in Aotearoa, New Zealand, have consistently called for a greater focus on mental health issues.

Graffiti on a concrete wall beside a road. It says "Stand Together (2m apart)"

Research project: Making Histories

Exploring emerging and under-represented perspectives on the Covid-19 pandemic.

A brown face mask woven with flax on a white background

Clothing the Pandemic (ICOM Solidarity Project)

Connecting international museums and curators documenting and contextualising the use of facemasks during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020–21.

A single red boot viewed side-on with a white background

Research project: Fashionable Dress in Aotearoa New Zealand 1840 to 1910

A deep-dive into themes, concepts and stories of fashionable women’s dress in Aotearoa New Zealand from 1840 to the early 1900s.

A black and white photo of a woman in a long dress

Mary Annette Hay and the International Wool Secretariat Collection

Entrepreneurial women and wool in post-war New Zealand clothing industry.