MTG Hawke’s Bay: Museum Theatre Gallery

The MTG (stands for Museum Theatre Gallery) in Napier, New Zealand is Hawke’s Bay cultural museum. It showcases the history of the region through dynamic exhibits, but it also focuses on art and design.

The largest and most interesting exhibit at the MTG is all about the disastrous Hawke’s Bay earthquake that hit the area in 1931. The exhibit uses photographs, short films, objects, quotes, and stories in an interactive display to really bring the history of the earthquake to life. It is an absolute must-see when visiting Napier. Anywhere you travel to in the world, it’s important to learn about the histories of the place–in Napier, that earthquake is the history. It shaped the city into what it is today.

After fully taking in the earthquake exhibit, head upstairs to see the art galleries. These exhibits change every so often. While I was there, there were 3 exhibits. The first was Rene Lalique, who became one of the most well-known glass makers during the Art Deco period. The second exhibit focused on artist Nigel Brown, a contemporary New Zealand painter. The final exhibit was a collaborative project that combined old photographs from rural New Zealand with poetry and spoken word.