Hanga Build
Ko te whakatakoto i te kaupapa Laying the foundation
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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Three men with the large carved prow of the waka taua Taheretikitiki in Ōrākei. Canterbury Museum 1975.203.24174
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Rangatiratanga Leadership
Discover stories of rangatiratanga (leadership) drawn from objects in the collection that speak of vision, courage, resilience and the ability to inspire others.
L to R: Frank Worsley, Ernest Shackleton and Tom Crean. Canterbury Museum 2023.8.1
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Whakapono Faith
In most cultures karakia, faith, ritual and customs frame how humanity views and gives meaning to life.
In Māori culture, karakia (chants and prayers) are a means to communicate with atua (gods), to seek guidance, protection and to place or lift tapu (a state of restriction or sacredness).
Before significant tasks such as selecting a tree to fashion a waka or beginning a journey, karakia are performed by a tohunga (expert) to bring focus and unity and ensure a successful outcome.
Coming soon
A detail of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch in the 1980s. Canterbury Museum 2017.79.5568
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Taputapu Tools
For Māori, the toki was the chief of all tools.
It was a trusted work tool for cutting, but also a valued weapon that offered protection. It helped shape relationships and determine destinies. Today, the toki form is a popular talisman worn to symbolise strength, bravery and power.
Before we start building our waka hourua, we need the tools to build it. We have searched our collections for tools that have helped shape history, advance technology and changed our lives.
Coming soon
A toki with wooden haft, fibre body and stone head. Canterbury Museum 2018.77.100
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Mahitahi Partnership
A waka hourua is made of two hulls lashed together to form a single vessel. The two hulls work as one, offering strength and stability on a journey across oceans.
On our journey, the hulls represent the importance of our whanaungatanga (relationships) working alongside mana whenua and our communities.
These stories will be drawn from objects that connect people and speak to unity, understanding and respect for diversity.
Coming soon
A lantern slide of Mt Grey from Dixon Ridge. Canterbury Museum 1975.203.6279
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Hononga Connection
Ropes are versatile – as delicate as silk or strong enough to lash a waka hourua together and withstand the power of crashing ocean waves.
On our journey, ropes connect and unite us as whānau, communities and human beings.
These objects will tell intergenerational stories that bind but can also set us free.
Coming soon
A postcard of Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in Northern Ireland. 2004.39.16054
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Hangarau Technology
A sail is a simple sheet suspended by poles to catch the wind. The technology is sophisticated, refined over generations, requiring skill and knowledge to harness the wind effectively. Sails power exploration, enabling us to harness the wind and discover new lands.
On our journey sails represent technology and tenacity – a combination of characteristics we need to reach our destination.
These stories will be about coming together to expand what is possible.
Coming soon
A robot toy from the 1950s. Canterbury Museum 1975.98.30
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Hapori Community
The mast is one of the most dynamic and complex parts of a waka hourua, transforming the power of wind and sails into motion. It must be strong to carry the load of a full sail but flexible enough to perform well.
A mast cannot stand on its own – it requires supports to stay upright.
The work of the Museum is complex and, like a mast, we can't work alone. We need support from our community.
These will be stories about support – physical, emotional and spiritual.
Coming soon
J J Kinsey and colleagues cutting ice steps in Tasman Glacier in1895. Canterbury Museum 19XX.2.5306
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Manaakitanga Protection
A successful journey requires us to not only survive but to arrive at our destination in good shape – ready to take on the challenges of our new home.
On our waka hourua, manaakitanga is important to look after the wellbeing of our crew physically, mentally and spiritually by providing shelter and protection from the elements.
The concept of shelter leads us to search our collections for objects that hold stories connected to wellness, health and protection.
Coming soon
A Japanese suit of armour. Canterbury Museum C1957.904
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Politician Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, seen here in about 1960, was New Zealand’s first Māori woman cabinet minister. The Museum looks after some of her distinctive and colourful dresses. Canterbury Museum 2025.42.1 CC BY-NC Portrait: Tini Whetu Marama Tirikatene-Sullivan. S P Andrew Ltd. Alexander Turnbull Library 1/4-020004-F.
Rangatiratanga Leadership
We begin Araiteuru Our Journey with the theme of rangatiratanga and leadership.
The first inhabitants of Aotearoa were intrepid explorers who crossed the Pacific Ocean sailing waka hourua (double hulled waka) in search of new lands. Their captains were great leaders endowed with vision, courage, resilience and the ability to inspire others.
As the Canterbury Museum sets out on its redevelopment journey, Araiteuru, we look to our collections for stories that speak of rangatiratanga (leadership) to help guide us on our way.
Politician Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, seen here in about 1960, was New Zealand’s first Māori woman cabinet minister. The Museum looks after some of her distinctive and colourful dresses. Canterbury Museum 2025.42.1 CC BY-NC Portrait: Tini Whetu Marama Tirikatene-Sullivan. S P Andrew Ltd. Alexander Turnbull Library 1/4-020004-F.
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