Slice of Heaven: 20th Century Aotearoa

Aotearoa New Zealand changed dramatically in the 20th century. Discover what united and divided us, and shaped our lives today. Decide whether New Zealand really is a ‘slice of heaven’.

When | Āhea 2 Oct 2010 – 23 Jan 2017
Where | Ki hea Level 4
Cost | Te utu Free entry
Ages | Te reanga All ages
Allow | Me whakarite 30 minutes
Accessibility | E wātea ana ki
- Wheelchair accessible
Find out more about accessibility at Te Papa

The 1900s saw Māori, women, and gay people all stand up for their rights. The country fought in two world wars – and then took a stand against nuclear weapons. The state grew – and shrank again. Find out about these and other historic events in this kaleidoscopic view of New Zealand life from the century that was.

Slice of Heaven: 20th Century Aotearoa exhibition objects and images from Te Papa's collections

Hunt around Home-grown

Explore the green, grassy-walled ‘Home-grown’ area with your whānauwhānau family – finding weird and wonderful objects from the past.

Where: Home-grown, Slice of Heaven: 20th Century Aotearoa exhibition, Level 4 (next to the Inspiration Station Discovery Centre).

Choose from two treasure hunts:

I SPY
Ages: 0–5 years
Use the toy pictures on your I SPY activity sheet to hunt down the real ones in the exhibition.
I SPY: Home-grown (3.24 MB)

Family Trail
Ages: 8–12 years
Look for Ninja Turtles, ceramic hot water bottles, and other 20th century objects to answer the questions on our trail.

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Slice of Heaven. Te Papa
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Slice of Heaven. Te Papa
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Slice of Heaven. Te Papa
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Slice of Heaven. Te Papa
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New Zealander Dorothy Broad came up with a special way to keep her soldier boyfriend close while he was overseas during World War I.
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E P Cox's diary offers a precious first-hand account of life from the front lines during World War I.
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During World War II, women traded their fancy frocks for overalls. Learn the stories of two avid land girls.
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A Kiwi doctor brought back these keepsakes from ground zero at Hiroshima.
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The Wellington dental nurse clinic was dubbed ‘the murder house’ after it opened in 1921. It's no wonder when you see the ghastly tools used in the trade at that time.
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What connects a 1956 leather rugby ball and a shiny blue bike helmet from the early 1980s? Uncover the history of rugby rivalry between the All Blacks and South African Springboks, and the mark it has left on New Zealanders.
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Television broadcasting began in New Zealand in 1960, bringing the world into people’s living rooms. Play School revolutionised children’s entertainment in the 1970s, continuing until 1990. Meet some of the original cast, now part of Te Papa’s collections
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Te Papa's collection of historic wallpaper, particularly from the 1930s, may have you asking what treasure might be covering your walls.