Stories Archives - Te Toi Uku, Crown Lynn Museum

The Holding Collection

Over the last year, our team has been working on a major collection management project – processing our ‘holding’ collection.

Sione Tavo Manukia was an influential figure amongst the Tongan community in New Lynn. He moved to Aotearoa in 1970, working for a couple…

Ringi Ngakuru worked at Crown Lynn Potteries for over thirty years. She oversaw the fettling (removal of marks) and handle departments, and was one…

Crown Lynn’s handle room was a hive of activity. During the 1960s, teacups were one of Crown Lynn’s best-selling items – with 14,000 produced…

This Crown Lynn shape catalogue, titled ‘Mould Museum Illustrations’ was donated to the museum by Bruce Yallop.

A fantastic way to see the influence of Pacific and Māori communities on Crown Lynn is through the objects produced in the factory.

Crown Lynn’s history is populated by hugely talented people, one of whom was Reitu Robson (nee Cassidy) – a decorator for Crown Lynn Potteries.

Karen Karaka was the first Māori woman accepted into the Ceramco management cadetship scheme in 1977.

Briar Gardner was one of New Zealand’s first studio potters. She was Sir Tom Clark’s aunt, and both lived and worked at the Gardner…

Richard Quinn was more than a Crown Lynn enthusiast, he was passionate about saving an important part of our modern history.