Carousel slide 1 imageExplore our collection objects through their rich stories. Learn the history behind the artifacts and find out more about their significance in New Zealand's Maritime History.
Since the 1980s the Museum has been acquiring a collection that shares the maritime stories and history of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Museum holds a collection of over 130 watercraft ranging in size and complexity from a surfboard to an 18-metre ketch-rigged scow TED ASHBY. This includes watercraft artifacts from the earliest days of Pacific voyaging, to the arrival of Europeans and through to present day such as canoes, yachts, waka, vessels parts and steam engines.
Explore our comprehensive collection of guides created by our Digitisation Team, aimed at individuals or institutions embarking on a museum digitisation journey.
We are not currently able to meet any requests to view objects not on display, as the Collections Team is moving our offsite collection to an improved collection storage facility, to better care for the collection in the long term. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Yes! The museum has an extensive online collection of thousands of items which can be viewed for free. Click here to browse.
While the library does not hold passenger or crew lists, additional resources in the collection may include:
Other useful resources
Photography on-site is allowed for many library and archival items, with staff guidance. Some restrictions may apply.
Charges apply for scanning. Fees for scans, copies and prints apply. Rights and usage costs apply.
Photography is permitted in our galleries for personal use only.
If you would like to reproduce material from the collection, the copyright approval must be obtained through the rights holder not through the Museum.
The Museum is moving our offsite collection to an improved collection storage facility, to better care for the collection in the long term.
From 1 July 2023 to 30 September 2024, the Acquisitions committee will cease the appraisal of new donations for the permanent collection. This will allow the team to focus on the collection move to ensure that donated treasures are well cared for.
