Sir James Fletcher Museum

The Sir James Fletcher Kawerau Museum is accessed through the Kawerau Library, Jellicoe Court and can be visited during Library opening hours. As of 1 January 2009, the Kawerau District Council took on the management of the Museum. The Museum has accumulated considerable donated historic memorabilia and photographic material which needs to be preserved, correctly catalogued, and displayed to the public in a professional manner. Contact for the Museum can be made by email to museum@kaweraudc.govt.nz or by phone to:

Irene Sandle
Museum Curator
Ph 07 306 9041

Previous to this, the Museum was 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. The Trust continues to support and assist the Museum. Contact for the Trust can be made by phone to:

Anita Moore
Secretary
Ph 07 323 8704
Mob 027 2903907

Current Displays

New exhibitions released September 2009 feature a range of topics relating to Kawerau's history. Topics include Fenton's Mill (sawmill 1934-1948), early Kawerau residents Monika Lanham and Millie Whitehead and highlights from Rautahi Marae's history. It is also 50 years since Kawerau's first Mayor was elected and 30 years since the town celebrated it's Silver Jubilee in 1979 so we have displays relating to these events. Finnish immigrants moving to Kawerau in the mid 1950s was a significant event for them and the community, and our exhibition features their journey here and their experiences on arrival. Top Town was also another highlight in the town's history with two wins catapulting us onto the national stage and our display reflects the excitement of the events. Ongoing displays to view include: the story of industry in Kawerau, the story of the community, 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.