This is an amazing place setup by Nigel Ogle in an old disused Dairy Factory on the outskirts of Hawera.

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Nigel has put this together from scratch including making all the characters and models and the attention to detail is absolutely stunning.

It is split into several sections and the last time we were here, we only had time to do one section (several hours). This time we were going to try one of the ones we missed last time, being the Traders and Whalers.

Click on the Gallery below to see an Enlarged Slideshow

In the mower section

The shop

After parking and checking in, we set off to the Traders and Whalers section where we guided through some fairly dimly lit tunnels with some amazing life-sized dioramas with hugely detailed people with flax, rifles, boats and everything to do with early NZ.

We were then led to a big underground cave like area with a moat and a 20 odd person boat. With some others, we got into it and were taken through an amazing area of sound, light and more life-sized dioramas of early New Zealand showing early Maoris trading flax and Muskets with settlers. So well done. I believe it was a collaborative effort with Weta Workshop, so I wasn’t able to photograph any of it. Just amazing and a must see.

After that we went through to see some smaller displays of early whaling and trading then onto the Cafe for a really nice coffee. They have an amazing selection of traditional cakes, and we chose a couple of beauties.

Across the road is very easy Motorhome parking on a big patch of grass next to the car parking.

As I said a must see if you’re in the area.