Being an island, New Zealand has a long nautical history. From the arrival of the first Polynesian people through today, much of New Zealand life revolves around the sea, especially here in Auckland where it is said that one in four people have a boat. It is no surprise that Auckland’s nickname is the City of Sails.
The New Zealand Maritime Museum is the best place to discover New Zealand’s nautical history from the first people to arrive only 1,ooo years ago in dug out canoes through modern blue water racing. It is one of my two favourite museums in Auckland (the other is the Auckland Museum). It takes us through the nation’s nautical history with actual boats, replicas, stories, interactive exhibits and more.
A variety of vessels used to travel across the waters in early days before Europeans arrived. Take a closer look at these Polynesian Outrigger boats here.
The entrance to ‘New Beginnings’, an exhibit on European immigration to New Zealand.
Simulating life on board the European immigrant ships, this “boat” gently rocks from side to side.
Blue Water – Black Magic: The Story of Sir Peter Blake
Blue water, Black Magic is a tribute to Sir Peter Blake, yachtsman, environmentalist and New Zealand hero. His life was cut short by pirates in 2001. It also features maritime achievements that have resulted in New Zealand holding every significant blue-water sailing trophy in the world, at one point in time. Sir Peter Blake is New Zealand’s most celebrated sailor, and probably its most famous. He is joined in fame by some of New Zealand’s recent olympians and America’s Cup team members.
The entrance to Blue Water, Black Magic.
Sir Peter Blake’s lucky red socks
Looking down on NZL32 – Black Magic, New Zealand’s 1995 America’s Cup-winning boat.
The underside of Black Magic.
Modern Nautical History
A row of innovative kiwi boat designs.
This waka, belonging to the Polynesian Voyaging Society, has been at the Maritime Museum for a while and will be leaving soon.
SS Puke (pronounced puķē) is New Zealand’s oldest working steamboat.
Sail on the Ted Ashby or the Breeze
The Ted Ashby is a ketch-rigged deck scow. The Auckland Maritime Museum offers daily sailings on the Ted Ashby as well as other boat options. Check out the sailing time schedule to help plan your visit.
The Ted Ashby in the Huaraki Gulf on a daily excursion from the Auckland Maritime Museum.
The Breeze is a recreation of a brigantine style ship used in New Zealand coastal and inter-Dominion trades. While we have not yet sailed on it, we did get on the Breeze during a special event entitled “Dangerous Duties at Sea” held at the Maritime Museum. The highlight for my teen was getting an opportunity to climb up the rigging on the Breeze.
Learning to use the clips for safety
I hopped off the boat to get a photo on her way back down.
There were also many different rescue boat and lifeboats present during Dangerous Duties. Thinking about spending any time in one of these lifeboats is pretty scary. The first holds 35 people, the second even more.
Practical Information and Tips
- The New Zealand Maritime Museum is just off Quay Street on Hobson Wharf, directly across from the Viaduct Harbour where people can race on the former America’s Cup boats.
- Entrance to the Maritime Museum is free for Auckland ratepayers.
- The SS Puke is a working ship and touching or leaning in the wrong spot will get you greasy (I know this first-hand).
- The museum the check in location for the Auckland Whale and Dolphin safari.
→ Get tickets for America’s Cup Boat Racing OR Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
Please share this on social media, including Pinterest:
Are you fascinated by nautical history? Have you been to the Maritime Museum?
Fascinating looking museum. I’m from Nova Scotia and we have a great maritime museum in Halifax, which includes an awesome Titanic exhibit. Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday
I keep hearing about that Halifax Maritime Museum. Now it is on my bucket list.
Those sock are VERY red.
I too like these topical museums. Was there anything showing nautical history that wasn’t colonial in nature. ie pre-colonial?
Those are the actual red socks.
The nautical history starts with the first people to come to New Zealand. I touched up on it in the first photo. There is plenty at the museum.
This is such a fascinating museum! All of the little details like the lucky red socks, make it even more special.
True, and there are far more than I can share here.
Great picture of the suitcases! I have been to various maritime sites in Nova Scotia, Canada when I was young and I’ve sailed on a replica Viking knarr out in Newfoundland to search for icebergs (we found one!), but it’s been a while since I’ve been near the sea.
Wow. I would love to do that. A Viking ship, Newfoundland, and icebergs, what a magical combination.
Interesting museum with even more interesting artifacts! Island nations do have a strong nautical history and its always wonderful to read about it.
And New Zealand is about 2000 km to our closest neighbors.
Maritime museums are always a lot of fun. We went to the one in Halifax a few years ago and loved it. The highlight there was artifacts that were retrieved from the ocean surface from the Titanic.
Sean at His and Her Hobbies
That would be very cool to see artifacts from the Titanic. I will have to remember that should I ever get to that part of Canada.