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Wonderland was Wellington’s first ever amusement park. Based in Miramar, it opened in 1907 and was located near the present-day Wētā Cave. At the time it was one of the biggest amusement parks in the Southern Hemisphere. Its various attractions were originally to be found at the New Zealand International Exhibition of 1906-1907 and were brought to Wellington after that exhibition closed. The park has a fascinating and interesting back story which the panellists will explore.This very special event will be an unmissable treat for all local history buffs as well as a fabulous journey into Wellington’s and especially Miramar’s past, and features two of Aotearoa’s finest and most acclaimed historical novelists and Wellington City Libraries' own Local History Specialist.
Meet the panel:
Tracy Farr:
Tracy Farr's debut novel The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt was longlisted for Australia’s Miles Franklin Literary Award, shortlisted for the Barbara Jefferis Award and Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards. Wonderland is her third novel and is set in and during the time of Miramar’s Wonderland.
Philippa Werry:
Multi-award winning historical fiction writer Philippa Werry’s most recent book Iris and me about the travels of Robin Hyde won the Young Adult Fiction Award at the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Her numerous other works include award winning fiction, non-fiction, picture books, plays and poetry, with a special emphasis on children and young adults, and a particularly strong focus on Aotearoa / New Zealand stories and history.
And to complete our illustrious panel we have Wellington City Library’s Local History Specialist, Gábor Tóth.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Miramar Library, 68 Miramar Ave, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand, 68 Miramar Ave, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand, Wellington
