Seen But Not Heard? Collecting the History of New Zealand Childhood

This thesis examines the extent to which selected New Zealand museums have collected the history of childhood from their inception to the present. No research on collecting the material culture of childhood has been done in New Zealand and international studies in this area have mainly focused on exhibitions. In breaking new ground, this study conducts an in-depth analysis of objects relating to children that have been acquired over time and it evaluates how and why the experiences and perspectives of children have been incorporated into collections, and therefore which childhood histories have been preserved. The case study at the heart of this thesis focuses on the history collections of two large metropolitan museums, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. This thesis employs a multi-method approach in order to gain information about the collections, the objects and museum practices as they relate to children and childhood. Close scrutiny of museum collection databases, object files and accession registers enabled the documentation of what was in the collections and what associated information was recorded. Current and long serving curators were interviewed to provide unique perspectives and personal reflections on the realities and complexities of their practice. In addition, published museum histories, archival information and planning documents provided crucial information on the strategic collecting direction of each museum from 1851 to 2007. This study provides important empirical evidence on collecting the material culture of childhood. The thesis also provides new insights into museum theory and practice and advances the premise that museum collections are shaped by the historical context within which they were created, whether at the level of social discourses or the activities of individual people. There were changes in the kinds of childhood objects collected, from ethnographic specimens to colonial and decorative arts objects, to everyday objects that embody multiple perspectives and personal stories. Contrary to conventional wisdom, exhibitions and the 'new museology' are shown to be a positive influence on the inclusion of childhood objects, especially things that embody the child's perspective. The way that childhood objects provide a tangible material link to the past, capturing an element of history that cannot be expressed in text-based form, is evident throughout this research. The thesis concludes by arguing that the distinctive way museums make history provides an important opportunity for museums to ensure that children are included, visible and heard in New Zealand history.