Founded in 1867 in Christchurch, Canterbury Museum preserves more than 2.3 million objects tracing natural history, Māori culture, Antarctic exploration and the urban evolution of the region. Located on Rolleston Avenue, across from Ravenscar House Museum and near Christchurch Botanic Gardens, it is currently undergoing renovation: a free pop-up museum has been relocated to CoCA (Centre of Contemporary Art) until the historic building reopens, expected around 2028.

Why visit Canterbury Museum

• One of New Zealand's oldest museums, listed as Historic Place Category I by Heritage New Zealand.
• A rare Antarctic collection, linked to Scott and Shackleton expeditions.
• Māori galleries showcasing taonga, objects in pounamu (New Zealand jade) and Pacific artifacts.
• Popular culture pieces (kiwiana) such as Fred and Myrtle's pāua shell house.
• Free entry, donations welcome, accessible to all audiences.

Museum history

Canterbury Museum was founded in 1867 by naturalist Julius von Haast, its first director and provincial geologist of Canterbury, who assembled the initial collections during his expeditions. The main building, designed by architect Benjamin Mountfort in Victorian neo-Gothic style, opened its doors in 1870. Built from grey basalt from Halswell, it is distinguished by its interior kauri columns.

The building expanded in stages: extensions in 1872 and 1876, covering of the inner courtyard in 1882, then new wings in 1958 and 1977. The latter, named the Roger Duff wing, houses the Hall of Antarctic Discovery. Between 1987 and 1995, seismic strengthening work was carried out on the historic wings.

During the 2011 earthquake, the museum suffered only minor damage: only the statue of William Rolleston, at the front of the building, was toppled. The establishment reopened in September 2011 with 95% of its collections intact.

What to see in the collections

Permanent collections

Before the main building's closure, less than 1% of the museum's collections were displayed to the public. The permanent exhibitions covered four main areas: the region's natural history, Māori culture, Antarctic exploration and the urban development of Christchurch.

Among the most striking pieces:

• The Antarctic collection, with objects linked to Scott and Shackleton expeditions.
• The reconstruction of Christchurch Street, a 19th-century colonial street with period shops and a wooden horse appreciated by families.
• Māori galleries, presenting taonga, ancestral tools, pounamu objects and Pacific artifacts.
• The Whare Whakairo Hau Te Ananui O Tangaroa, a carved Māori meeting house.
• The blue whale skeleton, among the largest preserved in any museum, which will be reinstalled in a new atrium after renovation.
• The Mountfort Gallery, dedicated to European decorative arts and costume.
• Fred and Myrtle's pāua shell house, an emblematic kiwiana piece.
• Ivan Mauger's golden motorbike, world speedway champion.

Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre is an interactive space for children, focused on the playful exploration of the natural world. Entry is charged at a modest rate; holders of the Hāpai Access card enter free, as does the essential companion when the card bears the +1 symbol.

The pop-up museum at CoCA

During renovation, a free pop-up museum is installed at CoCA (Centre of Contemporary Art), on Rolleston Avenue, just steps from the historic building. It offers refreshed temporary exhibitions and a selection of highlight pieces. The opening exhibition, The Shift: Urban Art Takeover (January–April 2023), brought together 60 New Zealand artists in 35 transformed rooms of the main building before work began.

Practical information

Admission: free entry, donations welcome. No reservation is necessary for a self-guided visit.

Hours: open daily, with extended hours during summer season (October–March) and reduced hours in winter (April–September). Closed on Christmas Day. The pop-up museum at CoCA may have slightly different hours than the historic building: it is advisable to check the official website in advance.

Visit duration: allow 1.5 to 3 hours depending on your interest in the collections and temporary exhibitions.

Accessibility: the museum welcomes visitors with disabilities, with staff trained in inclusive hospitality.

Renovation underway: launched in 2023, it aims to restore the historic building, modernize exhibition spaces and integrate the Robert McDougall Art Gallery. The announced budget exceeds 205 million New Zealand dollars and reopening is expected around 2028.

How to get there

The museum is located on Rolleston Avenue, on the western edge of Christchurch's city centre, opposite Ravenscar House and at the entrance to Christchurch Botanic Gardens. From Cathedral Square, count 10 to 15 minutes on foot via Worcester Boulevard. Urban buses serve the Rolleston Avenue stop in the immediate vicinity. During renovation, the pop-up museum at CoCA remains on the same avenue, a few minutes' walk away.

What to see nearby

The Rolleston Avenue museum district lends itself to a day of cultural discovery in Christchurch, between Botanic Gardens, Arts Centre and Ravenscar House. To extend your stay in the Canterbury region, several remarkable natural sites are accessible from the city:

• Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill), a Māori sacred site scattered with limestone boulders.
• Moeraki and its famous spherical rocks on the east coast.
• Elephant Rocks, rock formations in northern Otago.
• Government Gardens, another heritage landmark of the country.

FAQ

Plan your stay in New Zealand

Canterbury Museum is a pertinent cultural stop for understanding the history of the South Island before exploring its landscapes. To build a custom itinerary combining Christchurch, the Southern Alps and the Otago coast, consult our trips to New Zealand.