Blog

The archaeological project on Ahuahu Great Mercury Island is underway. Louise Furey posts from the island as the team plan the best strategy for excavation and where to gain maximum information about the site.

The name Treaty of Waitangi suggests that everything happened up north in the Bay of Islands. But there is a rich history of the Treaty in many parts of Aotearoa New Zealand—including right here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and on both sides of the city’s two harbours. A new display at the Museum explores the many places where te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed around Auckland.

Many of the beautiful cities of the world began on the edge of a protected harbour. Auckland is no exception. We celebrate Auckland's 175th anniversary with three depictions of the early city and harbour from our Pictorial Collection.

While researching her new book, Vivien Caughley discovered a remarkable embroidered sampler held in a private collection in the United States. We investigate what a sampler is and how this one came to be part of the Auckland Museum collection.

Nau mai, piki mai, welcome to Te Awe. We are just over a year into this special three-year project, and have worked with over 3,000 taonga (treasures) to date from the Māori collection store. Awhina Rawiri-Erick introduces our specialist team and describes some of the processes in caring for taonga.

Curator of Land Vertebrates Dr Matt Rayner joined a research expedition to Pokohinu/Burgess Island. He explains the importance of seabirds in the island's wildlife recovery, and how historic specimens can help us learn about changes in the ecosystem over the last century.

Sir Ernest Shackleton took 69 dogs on the Endurance Expedition of 1914-1917 to Antarctica. One of the few dogs to return from that journey, Oscar, lived the rest of his days at Wellington Zoo. See Oscar’s harness and memories of the courage and sacrifice of these unsung heroes in our exhibition Still Life: inside the Antarctic huts of Scott and Shackleton.

Today is 'Ask A Curator Day'. Send us your questions about Auckland Museum, our collection, the history of our building, or anything else museum-related you'd like answered.

Sitting in Scott’s chair and pondering the meaning of century-old graffiti in Shackleton’s hut are two enduring memories of an once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica for Senior Exhibition Developer Victoria Travers. Although her journey took place 15 years ago she vividly remembers the experience including her discovery that all the Antarctic clichés about its beauty and vastness had not been overstated.

The Maungapōhatu flag has been returned to Tūhoe as part of the Tūhoe-Crown Settlement. Auckland Museum, and the Taumata-ā-Iwi, supported its return, and are pleased to have played a part in the reconciliation.

A great white shark dissection took place at Auckland Museum led by Head of Natural Sciences Tom Trnski and Department of Conservation Technical Advisor Marine Clinton Duffy.

Since their arrival in Sāmoa, the Chinese have played an integral role in the fabric of Sāmoan society. Ashalyna Noa reveals how the Chinese have made significant contributions to the economic development and culture of Samoa.