Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
"It's in the blood, this collecting," says Geoff Ernst, the owner, curator and sometimes tour guide of a memorabilia museum in the Waikato town of Tirau.
According to one entry in the guest book, Geoff's collection of gramophones, telephones, tractors, petrol pumps and vintage cars is "better than MOTAT".
Geoff – a former beekeeper – has travelled the country looking for curiosities and artifacts for more than 50 years – and built his museum on the outskirts of Tirau back in 1972.
"I got this idea that I needed a cross-section of things so that everybody is satisfied."
Tirau Museum Photo: NZ Museums
When it comes to collecting, the fun is in the chase, Geoff says.
He's found many of his treasures in farm sheds – particularly in Taranaki and the Wairarapa: "Not so much around here, they're too tidy around here."
One of Geoff's most-prized artifacts is an original paratrooper's motorbike from WW2.
"The soldiers ride from the drop zone to a new meeting point then told to disarm the bike, break the bike, so they can't be used by the enemy," he says.
Geoff is still adding to his collection, but these days doesn't bring any big items home.
"If [the find is] significant, I'll have it at the house for a while to show whoever turns up… but after a certain period up at the house, I'll find it on the doorstep which means – no words said – 'shift it over [to the museum]'."
