The Sir James Fletcher Kawerau Museum

The Sir James Fletcher Kawerau Museum is accessed through the Kawerau Library, Jellicoe Court and can be visited during Library opening hours. The Museum is managed and run by the Kawerau Historical Museum Trust. The Trust was established in 2000 by a group of concerned residents in response to a growing concern that because of the changing  direction of the Pulp and Paper Industry and its effect on the Kawerau township, the history of the establishment of the area was in danger of being lost to the present and future generations. Today the Museum and Trust have accumulated considerable donated historic memorabilia and photographic material which needs to be preserved, correctly catalogued, and displayed to the public in a professional manner.

The Trust is funded by donations and is staffed by a part-time Collections Officer and volunteers. Considerable effort has been put into upskilling volunteers and ensuring the collections and systems for the Museum meet minimum New Zealand Museum standards. Trust meetings are held each second Monday of the month at 1.30pm at the Museum. Contact can be made by email to kaweraumuseum@gmail.com or phone to:

 Current Displays

A new exhibition released April 2008 looks at war memories from local Kawerau residents. The history of the Kawerau Pony Club, and early businesses including Caves Buses and the ANZ Bank also feature. Ongoing exhibitions include the No. 1 Paper Machine, and early town beginnings. Regular displays include: this month 50 years ago, street names, and Tasman memorabilia including a 3 phase mercury arc rectifier.

Naming Of The Sir James Fletcher Kawerau Museum

The Museum was named for Sir James Fletcher who joined the family business, Fletcher Construction Company Limited in 1937. In 1953 construction of the Pulp and Paper Mill and the township of Kawerau began by a consortium company of Fletcher Construction Company Ltd. Auckland, Merritt Chapman and Scott New York, and Raymond Concrete Pile Company Delaware generally referred to as FMR. After the Government had accepted the tender from the Fletcher Group, the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company Limited was formed as a joint venture with the New Zealand Government. Sir James Fletcher was Chairman of the first Board of Directors.

Sir James Fletcher was knighted for his services to industry and the community in 1980. He has been the Chairman of the Fletcher Trust since its inception. The Museum has received valuable assistance from the Trust over the past few years and in recognition of the history of the Fletcher family and the community of Kawerau, the Museum Trust named the Museum in his honour.