Discover
The stories behind the Museum’s collections and exhibitions, and the work of our curators, scientists and staff.
Breaking the Ice: The First Year in Antarctica
Before the world had heard of Scott and Shackleton, another explorer hatched a plan to spend a year in Antarctica. He was Carsten Borchgrevink, and his team proved it was possible for humans to survive the Antarctic winter.
Dogs in Antarctica: Tales from the Pack
Meet the canine characters who helped Antarctic heroes like Scott and Shackleton explore the icy continent. From Kid the Courageous to Osman the Great, the dogs who pulled sledges and provided companionship on the great Antarctic expeditions all had tales of their own.
Blog Posts
Museum curators, scientists and technicians share stories from the Museum’s collections and their internationally-recognised research. Sign up here and we’ll regularly deliver a blog post to your inbox.
Respectable missionary and the first person in New Zealand to obtain a divorce
Tue, 11 Feb 2020
To the people of 1860s Whanganui, Miss Neville was a respectable dressmaker and churchwoman. They didn't know her real name was Emily Croucher, and she was hiding from her husband.
Stories
Short stories from the collection and behind the scenes at the Museum. For easy access to our short stories, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or subscribe to our e newsletter.
Watch: Deadly Dressing: How Fashion was Fatal to the Victorians
Tue, 17 Dec 2019
Learn about nineteenth-century fashion victims in this talk by Dr Jill Haley, Curator Human History.
Muttonbirding on the Chatham Islands
Thu, 14 Nov 2019
Muttonbirding typically refers to the harvest of tītī or Sooty Shearwater chicks - but on the Chatham Islands it could mean the harvest of albatross chicks.
New Brass Chain for Ivan Mauger's Gold Motorbike
Thu, 19 Sep 2019
Ivan Mauger’s gold-plated motorbike is sporting new brass chains thanks to the generosity of a New Plymouth motorbike enthusiast.
