A special Maori doll arrives at the Ballance House!

The Trust was delighted to receive a beautiful Maori doll (with special feathers) as a gift from Amanda McLaren, Ambassador for the McLaren Motor Racing Company.   We were so pleased that Amanda chose The Ballance House as a ‘good home’ for her doll which will figure prominently in our new Exhibition.   

Other lovely objects received from Amanda, that will be on display, include a Maori ‘Tiki’ carved box, a Maori flute ‘Kōauau’, and a carved Feather Box ‘Wakahuia’.

Amanda’s late father, Bruce McLaren, was born in Auckland and his first racing car was an Austin 7 Ulster (yet another Ulster-NZ connection!).   He later moved to England and became founder of the McLaren Company.     Unfortunately, he was killed in a testing accident at Goodwood in 1970.   

We look forward to welcoming Amanda and her husband as visitors to The Ballance House in due course.