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Museums
Home » New Zealand » New Zealand - Activities and Attractions » MuseumsNew Zealand has a great history and if you visit the Canterbury Cathedral you can see a wide variety of artefacts that have been uncovered to help visitors see how locals lived many centuries ago. There are many animals that have lived in New Zealand over the centuries and whilst many of them are extinct, you can visit the Strange Animals exhibit to witness birds and other creatures of the past, such as the Kotuku (White Heron) the only known breeding colony is near the Okarito Lagoon in South Westland and when you visit the Bird Hall, you will find dioramas of these and many other species of birds native to the area.
Another interesting part of the museum is the Treasures from the Ancestors display. You can visit the Nga Taonga and Iwi Tawhito galleries which gives you the opportunity to see New Zealand through the eyes of the first inhabitants – the Tangata Whenua. The great Totara forests and rivers of Pounamu are cleared displayed and the transformation of the land will definitely astonish you.
There is a variety of temporary exhibitions that are also showcased in the museum you can be treated to Roman style glass, Hanging coffins and other attractions that change frequently. If you wish to catch a certain exhibit that may only arrive on a temporary basis then the museum’s website regularly updates the up and coming attractions which will arrive and be open to the public for a limited time. If you would like more information then you can visit the website for details http://www.canterburymuseum.com/exhibitions.asp
The museum can be found on Rolleston Avenue just 500 meters from Cathedral Square and the opening hours during the summer (October – March) are 9am to 5.30pm and for the Winter (April – September) 9am – 5pm. Admission to the museum is completely free but any donations are not necessary but appreciated to help maintain the exhibits.
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