Te Toi Uku – Crown Lynn & Clayworks Museum, musem in New Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand
Te Toi Uku is a museum in New Lynn dedicated to ceramics and clay work in West Auckland. The collection displays plates, bowls, and other items produced by Crown Lynn over 40 years, along with production tools, machinery, photographs, and design documents that illustrate manufacturing processes and style changes.
Clay industries in West Auckland began in the 1850s and flourished through the 20th century. Crown Lynn operated for decades before closing in 1989, when most records burned in a kiln, though an employee managed to rescue some photographs from destruction.
Ceramics from this factory became part of everyday New Zealand life, appearing in homes and shops across the country. The collection shows how local craftsmanship shaped the community's identity and continues to hold meaning for residents who remember these objects from their own families.
The museum is located in New Lynn and is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. A visit typically lasts about an hour, and guided tours for groups are available to learn more about the workshop's past operations.
The Gardner kiln, built in 1926, stands as the last remaining structure from the brick industry era. Still visible on the grounds, it operated until 1957 and serves as a physical reminder of the area's industrial past.
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