The Dutch Connection Museum Trust
We have established a national Museum Centre for and about the Dutch immigrants in New Zealand, next to the 30 m high De Molen in Foxton.
Manawatu / Whanganui
The Oranjehof Museum opened in 2017, telling the inspirational success story of the Dutch: from Abel Tasman's first contact with the Maori, to today's achievements in farming, business, the arts and much more. Ons Museum acts as a venue for exchanges between two countries - in the realms of culture, the visual arts, business and science - and for our community to come together.
Oranjehof is located in Foxton, as part of
the Te Awahou-Nieuwe Stroom complex that has been established by Horowhenua District Council. We're collaborating with local Maori and other groups and manage a state of the art tourism facility and community hub.
Reasons for choosing Foxton: We were able to recreate een Stukje Nederland, next to De Molen, the Manawatu river loop, the Foxton wetlands that have Unesco birdlife status, and cafe The Dutch Oven.
More about us
The Dutch Connection Museum will be a real-life storybook to record and showcase the Dutch immigration experience. We've always been the 'Invisible Immigrants', missing from the pages of Michael King's 'History of New Zealand'.
So let's tell the inspirational success story of the Dutch: from Abel Tasman's first contact with Maori in 1642, to today's achievements in business, farming, the arts and more. 'Ons Museum en Cultureel Centrum' will be a venue for exchanges between two countries - in the realms of culture the visual arts, business and science. And the Dutch community will have a place to celebrate national events like 'Sinterklaas en Koningsdag'.
We now have a home. Horowhenua District Council has purchased the more than 1400 m2 ex-Mitre 10 building for a tourism and community centre.
Who's involved?
Fundraise
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