National Maritime Museum, New Zealand

The National Maritime Museum is New Zealand's premier maritime museum. It is located at the waterfront of Auckland, close to the Viaduct Harbour. It holds ships, models and related exhibition pieces spanning New Zealands maritime history from the first polynesian explorers to modern day triumphs at the America's Cup.

Its Maori name is " 'Te Huiteanaui-A-Tangaroa' " - holder of the treasures of Tangaroa (the Sea God).

Collections

The museum cares for a number of collections and permanent exhibitions: [http://www.nzmaritime.org/home.html Collections] (from the Museum website, dynamic website links)]

*Main exhibitions, concentrating on: **Polynesian, Maori vessels and navigation **European voyages of discovery **Settlement and immigration **Early coastal trading **Whaling and sealing **Modern commercial shipping **Lifeboat, pilotage and coastguard services **Navigation and marine surveying **Maritime art and crafts **Recreation and sporting maritime activities **Maritime trades **Harbour and port history

*Collections, documentation: **New Zealand Maritime Index - documents about maritime topics **New Zealand Maritime Record - photos and articles about NZ ships **Northern Steamship Company - website about the historical company **Bill Laxon Maritime Library - photos, charts and other documents **Lighthouses in New Zealand - documentation about lighthouse topics **New Zealand Maritime First - achievements of NZ in maritime areas **Geneaology Documentation - immigration shipping lists, documents *Art collections (maritime paintings): **Edmiston Collection **Fraser Collection

eaworthy ships

In addition to a number of reconstructed or preserved ships in the building itself, the museum also owns a number of ships that are normally tied up outside the museum:

*"Breeze", 1982 reproduction of a brigantine for NZ coastal trade *"Puke", late 19th century steam engine tender for coastal and river logging trade

*"Rapaki", 1926 floating steam crane, built in Scotland for the Lyttelton Harbour *"Ted Ashby", 1993 reproduction of ketch-rigged scow typical, late 19th century northern NZ

All except "Rapaki" can be hired from the museums for sailing excursions or functions. "Rapaki" can be entered and explored during normal museum visits. Some personnel from the Royal New Zealand Navy are also at times seconded to the museum to assist with maintenance of the ships and exhibition objects. [ [http://www.navy.mil.nz/visit-the-base/recent-activities/maritime-museum.htm Helping out at the National Maritime Museum] (from the Royal New Zealand Navy website. Retrieved 2007-12-06.)]

Extension

A revised NZ$ 8 million extension, to be built in the coming years, will house a permanent exhibition about Sir Peter Blake, including the original NZL 32 ("Black Magic"). The exhibition will be called "Blue Water, Black Magic". [" [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10413476 Peter Blake remembered: Raising a glass to fallen sailing hero] " - "New Zealand Herald", Saturday 2 December, 2006]

References

External links

* [http://www.nzmaritime.org/home.html National Maritime Museum] (museum homepage)