Home Fires Burning - Papakura Museum

Submitted by Editorial team on

To mark the end of the Vietnam War Oral History Project an exhibition exploring New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War was held at Papakura Museum in Auckland, April-June 2012.

Entitled Home Fires Burning: New Zealand's Vietnam War, the exhibition placed artefacts from local veterans and collectors alongside the personal stories of those who served – and those who kept the home fires burning back in New Zealand. A recreated ‘hoochie' shelter gave visitors a sense of how soldiers made themselves at home within New Zealand lines; with voices of veterans' wives and children presenting the perspectives of those back home.

We will remember our service and those who never came home. Great display.

So pleased I came. As the widow of a Vietnam Vet found it interesting.

Kia pai mai...Great end to your four years of research. Congratulations...

Thank you for allowing us to view this very important exhibition...well tailored to the children's understanding.

Thank you. Fantastic display and great lessons for the kids to learn. Blessings.

Great exhibit of proud Kiwi men. There were several RNZAC serving with our regiment.

Joined [army] mid-70s and our instructors were all ex-Vietnam vets. Professional training - this great display portrays what they taught us. Thank you and well done!

Visitor responses to Home Fires Burning

The exhibition also touched on the anti-war protest movement in New Zealand through historic film and photography. The backdrop for these stories was a Vietnam War-era suburban living room. A 1970s TV set showed historic footage, while oral history excerpts of veterans' personal reactions to the protest movement played through a vintage stereo.

Look at images from the Papakura Museum exhibition below:

Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning Home Fires Burning

Reference

Manatu Toanga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. See related exhibition held at Papakura Art Gallery, April-May 2012

How to cite this page: ' Home Fires Burning - Papakura Museum ', URL: https://www.vietnamwar.govt.nz/memory/home-fires-burning-papakura-museum, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 15-Oct-2013