The Origins Of Innovation: New Exhibition Explores Humanity’s Early Ingenuity

A new exhibition at Whanganui Regional Museum invites visitors to journey through time to explore the evolution of ancient stone tools — from the earliest known implements of the Lower Palaeolithic to the developing craftsmanship of the Neolithic era.

Utauta Taketake, Utauta Hōu/Tools Through Time showcases a remarkable selection of ancient stone tools originating from Denmark, Egypt, India, Somalia, Switzerland and beyond. Many of these artefacts are being displayed publicly for the first time, offering a rare glimpse into how humanity’s earliest innovators shaped their world.

The exhibition examines how these tools were made, what they were used for, and why they have found a home in Whanganui. It was opened with a special talk by Kaihāpai Taonga/Curator Maeve Egan, delivered to members of the Museum Friends group and other supporters.

Museum Pou Ārahi/Director, Dr Bronwyn Labrum, says the exhibition is part of the Museum’s ongoing strategy to bring more of its rich collections into public view.

‘This exhibition reveals extraordinary objects that connect us to the deep past,’ says Dr Labrum. ‘These tools were once vital to survival, and they speak to our shared human story. By putting more of our collection on display, we’re helping visitors understand not just how these objects were made, but why they still matter today.’

Kaihāpai Taonga/Curator of Social and Natural History, Maeve Egan, says the exhibition invites people to reflect on humanity’s capacity for innovation and adaptation.

‘Each of these tools tells a story — of ingenuity, experimentation, and discovery,’ says Egan. ‘The exhibition celebrates the unique and fascinating properties of the tools and how their construction and use developed over time.’

Visitors can expect to see prehistoric implements dating from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Neolithic era, highlighting the innovation and craftsmanship that has evolved through millennia, revealing the creativity of our earliest ancestors.

Utauta Taketake, Utauta Hōu/Tools Through Time is open now at Whanganui Regional Museum. Admission is free, with koha (donations) gratefully accepted to support the Museum’s ongoing work.

Exhibition details
Utauta Taketake, Utauta Hōu/Tools Through Time
Whanganui Regional Museum, Pukenamu Queen’s Park, Watt Street
Open daily 10am-4.30pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day)
Admission: Free (koha welcome)

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