Kaikoura Museum’s long term display is uniquely presented in an awarding winning exhibition area which highlights the district’s fascinating connection with the sea.
From the dramatic geological features of our coastline through early Maori settlement, subsequent European development and more recently surfing and tourism, Kaikoura has been shaped and influenced by the abundant marine life and spectacular ocean on its doorstep.
Come and explore our collections and read the stories to discover more about the distinct history of this special place, its people and their journey to where we are today.
NATURAL HISTORY
Where waves meet mountains.
With high mountains, narrow plains, rocky coastline and deep sea trenches, Kaikoura is one of the few places on earth where so many complex systems stand so visually interconnected.
From bugs to bats, dinosaurs to dolphins Kaikoura is, or has been, home to a diverse population of creatures. These can all be discovered through our impressive fossil collection, marine specimens, extensive collection of birds eggs and chronicles of our natural history.
TAONGA MAORI
The entire Kaikoura coastline was highly populated by iwi Maori. The Museum holds a wonderful collection of Taonga Maori highlighting their skill at turning various types of wood, rock and bone into multipurpose utensils and implements.
The collections also includes examples of Maori textiles, craft and design.
FISHING & WHALING
Maori and European settlement alike were encouraged by the abundant marine life along the Kaikoura coastline. Learn about how fishing and whaling helped shape the development of this seaside town and how our unique marine life still plays a vital part of our economy by attracting tourists who come to see whales, seals and dolphins and to surf our world class breaks.
VILLAGE LIFE
Kaikoura’s social history from Maori and later European settlement is told through objects, items and stories relating to the development of trade, transport systems, communications, and some of the people who helped to shape the history of this region.
UNIQUELY KAIKOURA
We have a number of interesting, sometimes quirky and uniquely Kaikoura features. These include a fully restored cabin from the Taiaroa ship that sank off the Kaikoura coast in 1886, a two roomed jail with a padded cell (believed to be one of only two left in New Zealand) with its own resident ghost, footage of the 1978 Kaikoura Lights (our very own UFO story) and a replica of the largest intact Moa egg ever found which was located right here in Kaikoura.
PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION
Kaikoura Museum holds over 40, 000 photographic images that serve to illustrate our diverse history. Many of these can be viewed in our ever popular photograph books which are themed on various topics from around our region and held in our research room for all to access. We have a comprehensive index of all of our photographs so that you can look up topics, people or places of interest. Copies of photographs can be purchased but conditions do apply.
For more information on prices and our photograph policy please contact us.
ARCHIVES
Kaikoura Museum holds the district’s archives which include an extensive collection of documents, maps, journals, history books and other archival items relating to our region’s history. We house information relating to Kaikoura clubs, societies, schools, businesses and other entities. We also hold information gathered on many early Kaikoura families for those researching their family trees. This material is catalogued and we have a comprehensive index system to assist with research and study projects as well as knowledgeable staff who can help you locate what you need and a wonderful research room for researchers to utilise.
Learn
Schools and Groups
We warmly invite schools and groups to visit us as part of their teaching and recreational programmes. Our exhibitions and collections are a valuable resource to support learning across a range of curriculum areas and education levels. The Museum is also a relaxed and interactive space to explore if you are looking for a more fun activity for your group.
Our ‘Collections with Connections’ is a modular programme that can be modified to the learning needs of your students. From pre-schoolers discovering fossils, senior geography classes digging deep into the Kaikoura Earthquake to tertiary tourism students learning about historic development and current impacts of tourism, we can adapt our programmes to fit your requirements. The Collections with Connection programme outline can be downloaded here.
The cost for school visits is $6 per student and accompanying adults go free.
Please complete this form to make an enquiry and we will contact you to discuss your needs learning and confirm booking.
Research
We have a research service available to help people access our vast collections and archives. These hold a wealth of information for those wanting to explore topics relating to Kaikoura.
Our knowledgeable staff can provide support for activities such as:
- School, club and society reunions and celebrations
- Educational research and personal study
- Media articles, films and books
- Family research
- Identification of objects and specimens
- Academic research
We believe strongly in giving access to our collections to encourage a deeper understanding and connection to our history so we also welcome queries from people wanting to do self-directed research.
The process for accessing our research service for personal use
- Send us your research request by completing the fields below.
- We will review your request and contact you with expected timeframes etc
- Our staff will action the request and get back to you with the results. If there is a delay for any reason we will contact you.
- If further research is required this will be agreed with you and payment will be required before this is carried out.
- Before providing copies of any material or photographs we will ask you to read our Reproduction Information sheet and agree to our terms and conditions.
Fees and payment
Initial Research, up to 30 minutes, free of charge
Additional research – $30/hour
You can pay via our website with Paypal or bank transfer OR you can call into the museum to pay by cash or eftpos.
Please Note: The research fee is required before additional research is undertaken and is not refundable. Additional costs may be incurred for copies of material etc.
For all research queries please read our information sheet, including our terms and conditions, then complete the request form below:
