Canterbury Museum
About This Museum
It's a little-known fact that this museum's first collection was nearly lost to a shipwreck. Today, it stands as a vibrant chronicle of the region, from the ancient footsteps of Māori to the heroic, frostbitten age of Antarctic exploration. You can feel the layers of history here, not just behind glass but in the very fabric of the building. It’s a place where you might turn a corner and find yourself suddenly transported from a Victorian Christchurch street to the vast, silent interior of a polar hut.
Collection Highlights
The intricate pounamu (greenstone) treasures and woven kakahu (cloaks) in the Māori exhibits are breathtaking. Then there's the Antarctic collection, where you can stand before Sir Edmund Hillary's actual Ferguson tractor, a humble machine that conquered an unforgiving continent.
Visitor Information
Tucked on Gloucester Street in the central city, it's an essential stop. Entry is by donation, making it wonderfully accessible for a spontaneous visit.
Architecture & Building
The building itself is a grand Victorian Gothic revival structure, all dark stone and ornate peaks, but don't miss the stunning modern addition—the glass-walled stairwell that floods the interior with light.
Contact & Location
Address: CoCA, 66, Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch, Christchurch City, Canterbury, 8013, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Phone: +64 3 366 5000
Website: Visit Website
