Aorere Heritage Centre goes high tech
Members of the Heritage Aorere Trust, from left, Sara Chapman, Tessa Gillooly and Lydia Milne, demonstrate the new kiosk to Damien O’Connor. Photo: Sarah Milligan.
The Aorere Heritage Centre in Collingwood took possession of their long-awaited touch-screen kiosk last Friday. The unit, which works along similar lines to the new check-in kiosks found at airports, provides visitors with a huge range of information and photographs about the Collingwood district.
Sara Chapman from the Aorere Heritage Trust explained how the information in the kiosk is displayed.
“The screen is divided into three sections; Sea (sponsored by Sealord), Land (sponsored by The Wakatu Incorporation) and People (funded by the Heritage Trust themselves). Within each section there is a series of photographs, and if a visitor touches a photograph, further information about it is displayed. An additional feature is a copy of Kathy Reilly’s historical map of the district. When an area on the map is touched, the screen zooms in to this area and historical features are described.”
Upon its delivery, the kiosk was received by members of the Heritage Trust and the Labour Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, Damien O’Connor, who in his previous position as Minister of Economic Development was responsible for approving a grant to fund the unit’s purchase. He was given a sneak preview and was very impressed with not only the technology used but also the huge range of information that could be displayed.
“This is a great asset for the community and once again Collingwood is at the forefront of technology,” he said after trying out the unit.
At present, there are about 20 items fully programmed into the kiosk. Many more will be added over the next few weeks, the kiosk will be ready for use by the public in December, just as the summer holiday season starts.
Sarah Milligan
