Over A Cuppa Tea

Sorry, this event’s been and gone

When:

Sun 16 Oct ’11, 10:00am–5:00pm

Where: MOTAT (Museum of Transport & Technology), 805 Great North Rd, Western Springs Show map

Restrictions: All Ages

Ticket Information:

Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) : $35.00
Adults : $14.00
Children (under 16) : $8.00
Students: $8.00
Senior citizens : $7.00
Children under 5 years: $0.00
MOTAT Mates (annual family pass): $65.00

Website:

MOTAT, Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology

Favourites:

MOTAT

Visit the Village Gallery at MOTAT and learn about New Zealand’s long and fascinating history of drinking tea at the new exhibition – ‘A teaspoon per cup and one for the pot’.

From a traditional Maori medicine to a garden party must, learn what influence a ‘cuppa’ has had on the Kiwi way of life.

From its beginnings, tea has made a statement in New Zealand. The tea tree (or manuka) was initially used by early Māori for medicinal purposes, and in 1769, Captain James Cook saw its other potential and turned the manuka leaves into tea.

By 1850 it had become the hot drink of choice for the average New Zealander and was drunk all over the country in a wide variety of places and ways.

Kids and adults alike will be interested in learning about how low cost budget brands of tea could contain dangerous additives such as sawdust and how in 1882 the Tea Examination Act solved this problem by stating that any tea sold must be pure.

Tea also played an essential role in the lives of New Zealanders stationed overseas. During both World Wars the spirits of soldiers would be lifted when they caught view of the YMCA or Salvation Army Canteen where a cup of tea and biscuits were offered to every man as a relaxing treat.

For a hands-on tea experience, get along to tea etiquette lessons in MOTAT’s Victorian Tearooms, or have a tea history guided tour around the museum on Sunday 16 October.

Come along to MOTAT and learn more about the common ‘cuppa’ and its significance to New Zealand society.