Slice of Heaven: 20th Century Aotearoa ( wwwtepapa.govt.nz/sliceofheaven ) opens on Level 4, Te Papa on 2 October 2010. Admission is free.

Slice of Heaven: 20th Century Aotearoa is about the stories, people and events that had an impact on New Zealand’s 20th century and gave the century its unique flavour. The 20th century was a time of immense change. New Zealand went from being a colony of England to a far more independent nation; it became a welfare state; underwent massive social change; and saw its indigenous population tenaciously confront a new world.

‘Te Papa is about creating new experiences that explore New Zealand culture and history’, said Te Papa’s Chief Executive Michael Houlihan. ‘Some visitors may feel nostalgic as they recognise familiar events and objects.

‘As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, there are generations of New Zealanders to whom both the early and latter history of the 20th century are unfamiliar, yet these are the years that have shaped our world today,’ Mr Houlihan said.

Not everyone will agree how Te Papa has ‘sliced up’ the century though, said historian Dame Claudia Orange, Te Papa’s Director of Collections and Research. ‘Everyone will have their own ideas about how the century should be represented, and we want visitors to contribute to Slice of Heaven via the interactives within the exhibition, the exhibition’s website, Te Papa’s social media channels, and attending the continuing events programme.’

The four big ‘slices’ are: Mother Country – about New Zealand’s relationship with the outside world, especially our allies Great Britain and the United States; Altered State – about the changing role of the state over the century; Okea ururoatia! (Fight like a shark!) – about the tenacity Mäori have utilised in dealing with challenges in the 20th century; and Us and Them – about how New Zealand’s social fabric changed after considerable tension and conflict during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. (Further detail on these four segments are contained in the attached document).

Dame Claudia also noted the objects, images, audio-visual displays, and interactive exhibits accentuate the personal experiences of New Zealanders throughout the exhibition.

‘They are emotional, sometimes unpredictable and confronting stories that will move, entertain, and educate visitors to the exhibition’, Dame Claudia said. ‘Slice of Heaven doesn’t steer clear of the controversial stories, but rather presents them without bias to stimulate discussion and reflection.’

Ten new tracks have been added to Te Papa’s audioguide (available for hire at the Information Desk on Level 2) that focus on ten iconic objects in the exhibition.

Slice of Heaven: 20th Century Aotearoa is the latest in Te Papa’s programme of renewing its long-term exhibition experiences. Tangata o le Moana: the story of Pacific peoples in New Zealand (opened 2007), OurSpace (opened 2008) and the significant renewal of scholarship in Awesome Forces (opened early 2010). Planning is currently underway for the redevelopment of the Mana Whenua and Toi Te Papa: Art of the Nation exhibitions.

Slice of Heaven: 20th Century Aotearoa
2 October 2010 – 2020
Level 4, Te Papa
Free entry
www.tepapa.govt.nz/sliceofheaven

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