Collecting childhood. Objects and stories from kiwi kids

From 2012 to 2015, Te Papa worked with seven New Zealand children and their families to build a collection of objects that represent the lives and experiences of children aged from 3 to 7 years old from different backgrounds growing up in New Zealand.

The children and families are part of the University of Auckland’s Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study, a research project that follows the lives of almost 7000 children and provides an up-to-date picture of what it is like to be a child growing up in New Zealand in the 21st century. The study provides in-depth information about a range of factors that influence children’s development over time, including health and wellbeing, education, and the wider family and societal environment. It also focuses on language, culture, and religion, and reflects on how these are expressed in everyday life.

Objects and stories collected as part of Te Papa’s Collecting Childhood project link to the findings of the Growing Up in New Zealand research. They are a charming but poignant collection of childhood memorabilia that provides a glimpse into the daily lives of seven New Zealand children.