Summer Collectathon Vol. 2: The Challenges

These challenges can be completed at any or all of the libraries. Note that the first challenge is COMPULSORY to complete the Collectathon.

1. Literary Legends: Read for 15 hours total over the course of the challenge (COMPULSORY)
2. Whodunnit?: Complete the Piakomon Cluedo game
3. Tech Geniuses: Name four items in our Tā Tauā Hangarau (Borrowable Technology) collection
4. Ancient Texts: Read a book that’s older than you
5. Hide-and-Seek: Find and re-hide the secret Piakomon in the library
6. Artistic Flair: Draw your favourite book character
7. Tell Me About It: Talk to a librarian about your favourite book or ask for a recommendation for your next great book read
8. Creative Creations: Design your own Piakomon OR write a story that includes the Piakomon

These challenges can be completed at any or all of the Swim Zone pools.

1. Pool Fishing: Ask us for a fishing rod and catch a fish. 
2. Swimming Strokes: Demonstrate all 4 strokes (freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly [or dolphin dive])
3. Find the Sinkies: Collect the rings at the bottom of the pool
4. Tricky Trickster: Show us your best trick 
5. Ask a Friend: Find out 1 fun fact about the facility from a lifeguard 
6. Speedy Swimmers: Swim 2 lengths (1 for Morrinsville) as fast as you can 
7. Drift Away: Float on your back for 30 seconds  
8. Sink or Swim: Show us how you can sink down and sit on the bottom of the pool 

These challenges apply to Firth Tower ONLY. Those with an asterisk (*) require an entry fee to complete.

1. Airplane Engineers: Make a paper plane in the Firth Shed and show a team member how well it flies*
2. Elf on the Shelf: Spot the elf around the site and tell our team where it is*
3. Playing Dress Ups: Dress up in our homestead and take a photo*
4. Silent Films: Watch the silent movies in the barn - tell a team member what it was about*
5. Ye Olde Games: Find our Victorian outdoor games near the barn - tell a member of the team which game was your favourite*
6. Quiz Time: What year was the Tower built? - tell a team member
7. Daily Chores: Hang out one item of clothing behind the homestead - tell a team member what was special about the pegs*
8. Firth Faves: Tell a team member what your favourite thing at Firth Tower is and why

These challenges apply to Morrinsville Gallery ONLY.

1. Gallery Treasure Hunt: Explore the gallery and find hidden details in the artworks
2. Story Corner: Sit in front of a chosen artwork and invent a short story inspired by it. Share your story with the gallery volunteers or other visitors
3. Sketch your Summer Holiday: Draw and share your holiday memories through art at the Tamariki Station
4. Bring a Friend: Invite someone who has never visited the gallery
5. Share your Experience Online: With the help of an adult, post a review or photo of your gallery visit on Google, Facebook or Instagram
6. Present Your Work: Describe an art project you have worked on in the past year. Bring the actual piece or a picture OR share any art project you plan to work on in 2026
7. Interview Time: Speak with a volunteer and ask any questions about their role at the gallery
8. Expert Researchers: Tell us how many gallery spaces the Morrinsville Gallery has, and where the gallery shop is located.

These challenges apply to Te Aroha Museum ONLY.

1. Museum Adventure Quizzes: Ready to explore? Take on fun quizzes that lead you to every hidden corner of the museum! 
2. Word Search Wonders: Hunt for words inspired by amazing museum displays. Can you find them all? 
3. Outline Mystery Match: Check out the silhouette and pair it with the correct item. Think you've got sharp eyes? 
4. I-Spy Challenge: “I spy with my little eye…” Find things that begin with a mystery letter. How many can you find?  
5. Mini Scavenger Hunt: Grab your detective hat and track down treasures around the museum! 
6. Photo Finder Fun: See the photo, then search to discover the real object. Will you find them all?  
7. Colour It Your Way: Bring museum pictures to life with your brightest colours and wildest imagination! 
8. Rhyme Time Hunt: Hunt for the object that rhymes with the clue word. Sounds easy … but is it?  

These challenges apply to Matamata iSite ONLY.

1. What are the three main buses that stop in front of the Matamata Information Centre?
2. What Statue will you find inside the Matamata Information Centre?
3. What Tourist Movie Set is located 16km from Matamata?
4. How many doors are there on the outside of the Matamata Information Centre, and what colours are they?   
5. What are people who visit from overseas called?                             
6. Name three to five countries that overseas visitors would come from.            
7. How would visitors find out information on what there is to do, see and experience in NZ?
8. The Matamata Information Centre is also known by another name, what is that name?

These challenges apply to Morrinsville Visitor Centre ONLY.

1. Who gifted the cow collection on display at the Information Centre?
2. What is Morrinsville’s tag line? ‘Cream of the…”?
3. What is the name of the biggest cow in the Herd of Cows?
4. How many cows are currently in the Herd of Cows?
5. Why is the House of Travel cow different from the others and who was the artist that made it?
6. Where is the old McDonald cottage located?
7. Where is the Time Capsule located and what year was it buried?
8. Name 2 of the local parks and reserves in Morrinsville.

These challenges apply to Te Aroha Visitor Centre ONLY.

1. Domain Garden Hunt: Count how many lakelets are in the Te Aroha Domain OR What is the name of the plant symbolising ANZACs in the Gallipoli Centennial Garden?
2. Geyser Discovery: Take a photo of the Mokena Geyser and tell us why it’s special OR What makes Te Aroha mineral water unique? Scavenger clue: “I bubble and fizz but never in a glass. Find me where the earth makes soda!”
3. Tree Challenge: Walk the Lower Domain track and identify three native trees (like Kawakawa, Rangiora, or Kowhai)
4. Bird Spotting: On the Lower Domain Track, walk, listen, and record a native bird like tūī or fantail OR name the game that was played on the grass behind the museum and the concrete courts in the domain. Clue: “Early bird catches the worm”
5. Historic Hunt: What shape is the Band Rotunda? OR Locate and name three New Zealand Historic listed buildings in the Domain. Clue: “I am where people once soaked in soda water.”
6. Waterfall Wonder: What is the name of the closest small waterfall? Do you have a picture? Clue: “Follow the sound of splashing water – nature’s music awaits.”
7. Bug and others Safari: Find a feather or take a photo of a spider web from Te Aroha Domain or Lower Domain Track. Clue: “I crawl, I creep, I hide in the deep. Who am I?”
8. Local Treats: What flavour is the local beverage? OR What is the name of the local beverage and when did it originate?

Parks: All parks district wide

Cards for these challenges can be collected from any of the district libraries.

The Creator: Design and create your dream playground and show one of the librarians

1. Love Parks: Tell us one thing you look forward to on your visit to your favourite local park or reserve
2. Expert Climbers: Climb up Whakapipi and see if you can spot Te Aroha Library. Show us a picture
3. Relax and Read: Read (or listen to an audiobook) under a tree in any of the local parks. Let us know which book you read
4. Plan Ahead: Imagine you’re one of our Parks planers for the day. Design a sign for your favourite park. This could be:
   1. An orientation sign (a sign with a map)
   2. An interpretation sign (signage that indicates things of importance that help you get to know the place better)
   3. A site ID with the rules of Dos and Don’ts
5. Parks and Rec: Tell us your favourite book related to parks and recreation
6. Park Artists: Draw an interpretation of your favourite reading spot at a local park or reserve. Show one of our librarians
7. Where Are You?: Play Geoguessr Parks Edition by visiting mpdc.nz/geoguessr