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.
The Elephant in the Room
Thu, 01 Apr 2021
An taxidermied elephant that is nearly 150 years old is trapped in the Museum's attic.
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.
Whitebaiting in Te Wai Pounamu
Thu, 04 Feb 2021
Two extremely rare Māori whitebaiting nets are a fragile reminder of an important economic activity in Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island) before Europeans arrived: the catching, preparation and consumption of freshwater fish.
Bug-Crushing Aussie Spider Could Be In Your Backyard
Thu, 14 Jan 2021
An Australian spider species that crushes insects before vomiting into cracks in their exoskeletons is living in southern Christchurch backyards.
James Dennistoun: A Life of Adventure
Fri, 08 Jan 2021
James Dennistoun's passion for adventure took him from Peel Forest to Antarctica, and to Europe to fight in World War One.
