Te Toi Uku Story
Discover what we are all about here at Te Toi Uku.
Te Toi Uku is a small, community-focused Museum based in New Lynn, Auckland. Our purpose is to celebrate the diverse histories associated with West Auckland’s clay industry, with a particular focus on Crown Lynn Potteries.
Operated by the Portage Ceramics Trust, Te Toi Uku was first opened in 2015. The Museum is located on the Gardener and Parker Brothers brickworks site, and we have an original brick-firing kiln next door to the Museum.
The Trust was first formed in 2005 to purchase a large private collection, amassed by Richard Quinn, of ceramics and pottery-making equipment relating to Crown Lynn Potteries. This acquisition continues to make up the bulk of our present-day collection. Richard Quinn, although not explicitly involved with Crown Lynn Potteries, saw the tragedy in Crown Lynn’s closure and fought to preserve as much of its history as he could. Without his forethought, we would have a fraction of the insight we have now.
As well as our collection of objects related to Crown Lynn Potteries, we also house work by a number of other historic studio and commercial potters which have some relationship to West Auckland. This includes a substantial collection of Studio Ceramics pottery.
Te Toi Uku’s vision is to engage the public in the discovery, appreciation and understanding of ceramics, including Crown Lynn, and the part they played in the local community of New Lynn and throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Collections
Richard Quinn Collection:
The Richard Quinn Collection makes up the body of Te Toi Uku’s object and archival collections. Acquired in 2005, this collection includes a vast array of objects produced by Crown Lynn, the machinery used in Crown Lynn’s (and associated –) production, and extensive archival documents which detail the company’s management.
Jack / J.T. / John Diamond Collection:
Jack T. Diamond was a prominent local historian and archeologist in West Auckland through the mid to late 20th century. An avid photographer, Diamond is responsible for a large portion of the photographic documentation of West Auckland’s industrial history.
Valerie Ringer Monk Collection:
Valerie Ringer Monk is one of the most important authorities on Crown Lynn. The author of two books on the topic, and an avid collector, Val Monk has donated a number of special objects to Te Toi Uku over the years - many of which feature in her published work.
Studio Ceramics Collection:
Studio Ceramics
Juliet Hawkins Collection:
Bruce Yallop Collection:
Waitakere City Council Collection: