Museum news

There’s been quite a buzz recently about the discovery of million year old moa footprints in a river in the South Island. If you are intrigued by this strange and now extinct bird follow the moa prints around the square to the Martinborough Museum where we have our very own moa collection. It was created back in 1976 by Robert Cairns, a 13 year old Masterton school boy who did it as a science project. It includes bones, egg shell and lots of information about the bird.

This old photograph, courtesy of Mate Higginson, shows well preserved moa leg bones (including the claws) that were found at Haurangi Station. It graphically demonstrates their huge size.

The museum is open Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 1.30-3.30pm. Admission is free but any donations are much appreciated.