New Zealand's Alpine & Agriculture Encounter
Introduction
'NZ's Alpine and Agriculture Encounter' tells the stories of the mountains and plains alongside the stories of the people who have lived here. These are stories of determination and innovation, contributing to a unique New Zealand culture that has grown out of this spectacular environment.
A modern, multi-media/interactive approach is taken to each gallery, and to each story.
Visitors are provided opportunities at every stage to tap into the information and experiences that engage them the most.
They are invited to 'step into the scene' in immersive object theatres, and get their hands dirty – or cold and wet – by exploring for themselves the processes of milling flour or making snow.
Cutting-edge digital inter-actives inspire the imagination and connect the visitor to the world. Objects, from outlandish fashions to full-size machinery, connect the visitor to the people behind the stories of Agriculture and Snow.
The entrance to each gallery has a 'decompressing' effect on the visitor. The senses are engaged preparing them for a completely different experience...
Artist's impression of the interior of the 'alpine' gallery, showing the interactive ‘weathermaker' and alpine hut ‘object theatre'.
Artist's impression of the interior of the 'agriculture gallery', showing the interactive header.
Photos above by Bill Irwin
Aerials on Mount Hutt 1970s.
Photo courtesy of
Charles Tindall/Jan Hampton
The Alpine Gallery
A passageway with coved floors, removing all edges, is lit in hot white light, creating an infinity affect. On a large AV screen, a looped track plays: of driving snow and a breaking blizzard in the Southern Alps, New Zealand. You can hear the creaking of ice, and an eerie howling…you step inside the Alpine Gallery...
Here you can explore the genesis of snow sports in this country, meet the number 8 wire thinkers and ‘bloody minded buggers’ who carved out an industry despite the odds. Smile at the outlandish fashions, spend time in an alpine hut, feel the rumble of an avalanche and even manipulate the weather to ‘make snow’ before following your journey down a braided river into the next gallery...
The Agriculture Gallery
To your right, a range of round-shouldered foothills stretch away. To your left, the river curls onward along the wall and across the gallery floor.
In every other direction, a patchwork of greens and golds stretch across the floor.
These are Canterbury’s plains….
You meet the people and hear the stories of those who have shaped this place and been shaped by it. You learn about innovation and technology that have turned New Zealand into a world leader, climb inside the cab of a header during harvest as the waving fields of wheat stretch out in front of you, or run your fingers through a merino fleece.
Many of the stories look towards the future too, examining water cycles and water usage, advances in irrigation and water conservation.
These stories present an important message: water is the lifeblood of Canterbury, and balancing water use and values are one of the keys to a sustainable future...
The NZ Snow Heritage Collection
The Methven Heritage Centre, will also be home to the 'NZ Snow Heritage Collection', New Zealand’s national collection of snow sports history, culture, memorabilia and images.
This will be available for display, but also for study.
Work on developing this collection is underway now.
If you would like to find out more, or have an item, film, photography or documents you would like to see cared for as part of this collection, please download the collection brochure here.