The first printing press arrived in New Zealand with the Christian Missionaries in the 1830s. Initially used for printing bibles and other related documents, many in Te Reo Maori, the printing press soon spread across the country. In the decades that followed printing became extremely popular with Europeans and Maori alike and by 1950 had led to an explosion of newspapers, found throughout both the North and South Islands.
The MOTAT printing collection has a variety of objects related to printing and bookbinding, including stamps, duplicators, different varieties of type, old newspapers and the Museum's very own working printing press.
The printing collection is located behind the fire station at MOTAT's Great North Rd site.
The printing press and bookbinding is in operation every Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm at the Print Shop. On operating days, visitors to the print shop can even receive their very own MOTAT print shop souvenir.
