Who We Are
Phillipa Durkin studied Conservation at Camberwell College of Art in London while on her O.E. Graduating with a B.A Hons she complemented this training with internships at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, The National Maritime Museum, London and The Conservation Center, National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside. Returning to New Zealand to take up a position of paper conservator at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, which she held for seventeen years.
Now in private practice, sharing her knowledge and care of objects, art and family archives.


Services we offer:











Types of materials we treat:







Damage we commonly address:
  • Examination and condition assessment
  • Condition reports and treatment proposals
  • Conservation treatments
  • On-site and in-studio conservation treatment of historic wallpaper
  • Construction of archival housings and storage enclosures
  • On-site collection surveys and condition assessments                             

  • Works of art on paper, including watercolors, prints, drawings, posters, pastels, charcoal, and gouache
  • Archival materials including documents, maps, letters, diplomas, architectural drawings, and other paper ephemera

  • Tears, holes, losses to the paper
  • Folds, creases, rolling, wrinkles
  • Dirt, dust, grime, soot, fingerprints, insect frass
  • Fire and water damage
  • Acidity and associated brittleness
  • Harmful tapes and adhesives
  • Written guidelines for storage, exhibition,
    and handling
  • Insurance claim examinations, assessments, and recommendations for treatment
  • Professional referrals for matting and framing services, digitization services, and the conservation of non-paper based materials



  • Parchment and vellum
  • Historic wallpaper, both on-site and in the studio
  • Three-dimensional objects such as globes, fans, hat and band boxes, and folding screens


  • Staining (overall discoloration, mat burn, foxing, adhesive stains, and water stains)
  • Pigment loss and flaking
  • Harmful backings and improper framing materials
  • Harmful storage enclosures


Printed Jam labels, removed from their tins, conserved and pressed before returning to the tins.

We love new projects!
Let's get started.
Our conservation clients include cultural institutions such as museums, archives, historical societies, and libraries. We also work with art galleries, framers, dealers in fine art and antiques, private individuals, corporate clients, and insurance companies. We work on an individual basis with each of our clients to ensure that their valued objects receive the most appropriate conservation treatment possible. We offer the highest level of professionalism and all work undertaken follows the NZCCM code of conduct/ethics and best practice.