Araiteuru Our Journey
The Museum redevelopment is more than a physical rebuild; it's a cultural journey of change.
We're embarking on this voyage with mana whenua, as we reimagine and redevelop not just the buildings but the institution itself.
Araiteuru Our Journey Ara nui. Ara roa. Ara ake rā.
A great journey. An extended journey. A revealing journey.
We're likening the Museum's journey of change to the voyage of Araiteuru, one of the first waka to carry Polynesian explorers to Aotearoa.
First we have to learn new skills to build a strong and seaworthy waka hourua (double-hulled canoe). Then we'll prepare to sail, gaining the knowledge we need for a safe voyage. Only then can we launch our waka hourua and set sail to our destination – the new Museum. Finally, we arrive.
Join the Museum on this epic journey of change as we draw on objects from the collection to tell stories of our world.
New stories will be added as our journey to the new Museum progresses.
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Araiteuru Our Journey
After 150 years, Canterbury Museum has embarked on an exciting new journey that has two distinct but converging paths.
Image: Extracting a waka from the Museum basement during the mammoth Museum move out of Rolleston Avenue.
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Hanga Build
First, we have to build a waka hourua, one strong enough to travel across the seas to a new land. To do this, we need leadership, faith, tools and our community. These are all qualities we need to build a new Museum.
Along the way we'll draw inspiration from taonga (treasures) and stories in the Museum collection.
Stories and taonga from the collection will be regularly shared on our journey to the new Museum.
Three men with the large carved prow of the waka taua Taheretikitiki in Ōrākei. Canterbury Museum 1975.203.24174
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Whakaritea Prepare
Once the waka hourua is ready, we'll prepare to sail.
To reach our destination – the new Museum – we'll need the skills and knowledge to sail safely.
We'll need to gather our crew, learn to navigate and prepare the resources that will sustain and protect us on the journey.
More stories and taonga (treasures) from the collection will be regularly shared as we redevelop the Museum.
Two women weaving flax. Canterbury Museum 1940.193.80
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Rere Sail
Once the new Museum is built we can set sail. We'll stock the waka with everything we need on the journey.
Now we can start to fill the building with the history of Waitaha Canterbury and the stories of the taonga (treasures) we care for.
More stories and taonga (treasures) from the collection will be regularly shared as we redevelop the Museum.
A hand coloured lantern slide of three wakas. Canterbury Museum 1975.203.24172
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Tae mai Arrive
Our voyage is over. We've arrived.
The journey will have taken almost eight years and we now have a new Museum. Soon, we will anchor our waka hourua.
This is a milestone, but also the start of a new journey in the new Canterbury Museum.
The theme of arrival will continue to be explored once the new Museum opens.
Robert Burns after setting his world speed record for motorbike and sidecar in Canterbury on 2 July 1955. Canterbury Museum 1997.12.1
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