Papakura & Districts Historical Society

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 December 6, 1961, an initial planning meeting was attended by twenty-nine members of the community. The first official meeting of the Papakura & Districts Historical Society (PDHS) took place on March 20, 1962.

The late Ernest "Ernie" Clarke became the first president of the historical society (1962-1966), was heavily involved in the process of establishing the Museum, wrote and edited many of the Museum and historical society's publications, and originally the 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 society. Artefacts had previously been housed in society members' private homes. In September 1972, the first exhibition of the society's collection was held at this location in collaboration with the Papakura Potters Society. In 1973, the museum opened to the public on Wednesday afternoons.

The PDHS now meets in the community meeting room in the Accent Point building across from the Museum next to the Edmund Hillary Library every fourth Thursday of the month at 1pm. Rotating guest speakers present on a historical topic and all are welcome to attend. Tea is $2. Society trips usually happen on the Saturday following the meeting and are announced in the Sentinel and at the meetings. Additionally, the annual membership allows those who have paid the once-a-year $25 fee to gain benefits such as discounted trips and free physical copies of the Sentinel.

To get in contact with the PDHS you can email the secretary at pdhs@papakuramuseum.org.nz.