The harvesting and processing of harakeke is among New Zealand's early industries celebrated in the exhibition Building our Nation which opens in Katikati today.

Harakeke or flax, was used by early Maori for everything from fishing nets and lines, to clothing, building material and medicinal purposes, and features in the exhibition at the Western Bay of Plenty Museum.

The third exhibition staged by the museum since it opened last year, also focuses on kauri milling, brick making and the skills of carpenters, and is part of today's Blokes in Sheds Ramble in Katikati.

Thanks to the assistance of Lion Breweries' archivist Edna Carson, the exhibition also marks 50 years since the end of ‘The Six O'clock Swill' when licensing laws meant public bars had to close their doors at 6pm. In 1967 the government changed the laws so hotels could stay open until 10pm.

Museum manager Paula Gaelic says the Western Bay Museum's policy of changing exhibits is unique among museums in New Zealand but despite the considerable amount of time and effort required, it is paying off.

'Visitors numbers are growing and by staging new exhibitions we offer people the opportunity to return to the museum several times a year.”

An early brick from the NZ Brick, Tile & Pottery Co had paua shell insets and a silver fern pattern.

Housed in the former Katikati Fire Station, the museum does not have room to show its entire collection and so the exhibitions are a way of displaying items pertinent to a specific theme.

In addition to regular exhibitions, the museum hosts school tours where students have a hands-on experience of life in the early 1900s.

'We could not do what we do without the tremendous support of so many sponsors, businesses and community groups and our team of volunteers. The level of support we have from the Katikati community is impressive and the envy of many other museums,” says Paula.

The exhibition, sponsored by Claymark Ingrained Precision, was launched at an afternoon tea for invited guests yesterday and is now open to the public from 10 am to 4pm daily.

The Blokes in Sheds Ramble is on today, April 1, from 9am to 4pm and $10 per person tickets are available from the Katikati Information Centre.

Tools for the carpentry trade are part of the ‘Building our Nation' exhibition at the Western Bay of Plenty Museum.