New Zealand’s history is full of courageous explorers who navigated uncharted waters time and time again. From Kupe, the first to discover the country, to the migration of the Polynesian people to the voyages of Abel Tasman and Captain Cook. These spirited travellers charted a path that the rest of the country now enthusiastically follows. After all “Team New Zealand” is the first non-American sailing team to win, then successfully defend the America’s Cup. Anyone interested in learning more about the country’s sailing history should pay a visit to the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum.
The Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum is the best maritime museum in New Zealand. It is situated at Hobson Wharf in Auckland, alongside the Viaduct Harbour. The exhibits here cover the country’s entire maritime history starting from early Polynesian seafarers to the more recent achievements at the America’s Cup. In Maori the museum is referred to as ‘Te Huiteanaui-A-Tangaroa’, which means ‘The Keeper of the Treasures of Tangora (the Sea God)’. The collection here includes photographs, drawings, paintings, maritime equipment, books, periodicals and models related to the country’s maritime history.
The main exhibits concentrate on marine surveying and navigation, Maori and Polynesian sea fearing boats and navigation, sealing and whaling, maritime arts and crafts, early coastal trading, port and harbour history, and voyages of discovery made by Europeans. Not all the artefacts are on permanent display so those interested in looking at specific pieces can confirm its availability by phone. The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm on all days except Christmas. While entry into the museum is free, there is an admission charge for those who want to go sailing. It would take approximately two hours to take a tour of the maritime museum, a bit longer if one goes sailing.
Tourists planning a tour of the country will find many New Zealand hotels to choose from. Try a hotel chain like Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ to minimise the hassle since it offers hotels in convenient locations across the country. Guests can even take advantage of the New Zealand hotel packages it offers to ensure a truly memorable vacation.
