Whakaritea Prepare
Ko te whakarite ki te haere Preparing to sail
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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Two women weaving flax. Canterbury Museum 1940.193.80
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Whakaumu Change
With evolution comes knowledge – we'll look to the collection for objects that represent change and transition: natural and man-made objects that have evolved through learning, trial and error, struggle and innovation, or by the forces of nature.
Coming soon
A taxidermy Kiwi from the Museum collection.
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Kauhoe Crew
The waka hourua will need a good crew. We'll look to the collection for stories that shine a light on the first people to arrive in this place, to mana whenua and the families that entrust their taonga (treasures) to us. Our crew also includes significant figures from the past and present.
Coming soon
The crew of the Discovery during the British National Antarctic Expedition of 1901–1904, led by Robert Falcon Scott. Canterbury Museum 1940.193.1399
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Kōmaru Sailing
Sails are a combination of art and science. They require expert knowledge and experience to make and to sail. It will take time on the water to master the skills needed to keep our waka hourua on the correct heading. We'll share stories that draw from objects that require specialist skills to operate or use generational knowledge.
Coming soon
The Pamir leaving Lyttelton. Canterbury Museum 1975.203.12114
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Whakatere Navigation
Navigation is inextricably linked to the environment. The earliest explorers learnt to harness nature to navigate land and sea.
Sophisticated navigation used geographic features, the stars, the moon, currents, tides, winds, clouds, birds, marine life and weather patterns.
Understanding the environment we work in and possessing the ability to navigate it successfully is critical to our journey.
These will be stories inspired by nature and how it has shaped our past, present and future.
Coming soon
An illustration of six sea faring waka on the ocean. Canterbury Museum UD2023.2.4866
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Ko te kai me te wai Food and water
On a long waka voyage, we'll need food and water to survive. Learning to grow, harvest, prepare, catch and store enough food and water to sustain everyone will give us the best chance of reaching our destination. Humanity's relationship with food has shaped civilisations, cultures and traditions and still determines our ability to survive and thrive.
Coming soon
Defiance Cakes captured by Standish and Preece photography studio. Canterbury Museum 2019.10.15061
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Weruweru Clothing
Clothes shield us from the sun and protect us from the cold. They can also represent our rank and authority, our culture and even our political views. Throughout history, clothing has been determined by the resources available to us and our resourcefulness in utilising them. It takes knowledge and skill gained over generations to create materials that help us shine.
Coming soon
A 1908 red satin dress featuring printed pages of the Canterbury Times. Canterbury Museum EC170.307
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A hand coloured lantern slide of three wakas. Canterbury Museum 1975.203.24172
Rere Sail
Ko te terenga atu The voyage
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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