Hands-on exhibition a hit with children

The Rotorua Museum has attracted hundreds of local school children during the school holidays with a new exhibit called Arcade - Homegrown Video Games.

The exhibit features 14 of the best video games developed in New Zealand, 12 of which visitors can play.

Museum art curator Karl Chitham said they were getting a fantastic response from locals.

"We wanted to encourage locals, looking for something to do during the school holidays, to come in and try something different," he said.

"Twelve games are playable so we have had a lot of children in there and a lot of thankful grandparents and fathers."

Mr Chitham said the games were relatively unknown and children had enjoyed trying them out.

He said the games were spread across different mediums including PC games, internet games and iPad games.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the museum will be screening the film Indie Game: The Movie next Thursday at 5.30pm, which won an award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

The film focuses on the passionate individuals who spend years developing their own video games and the underdogs of the gaming industry.

Tickets cost $5 per person, including popcorn, and seats are limited so book now at Rotorua Museum reception.

A number of other exhibits are also on display at the Rotorua Museum this week. KABLAM! is a Maori exhibit by local artist Kereama Taepa and is currently on display.

Taepa uses imagery to show the impact of American street culture on youth and the increasing urbanisation of Maori communities.

Other exhibits include Flow Riders - Tracing Kowhaiwahi Traditions, Gold Strike and Norm Heke OMGs: Maori gods in the 21st Century. Rotorua Museum entry is free for residents with proof of residency.