Canterbury Museum, Christchurch (must see)

Canterbury Museum may be found in the center of Christchurch. It was founded in 1867 by Julius von Haast, an explorer and geologist. The Museum was based mainly on von Haast's own collections. The museum is a Victorian Gothic Revival building, designed by Benjamin Mountfort, a prominent New Zealand architect dedicated to all things Gothic.

The museum never stopped growing. By 1876 another building had been added and an inner courtyard, which was roofed over in 1882. A new wing was added in 1958, next to Christ's College. Another wing came along in 1977. Strengthening measures were taken in the 1990s. A four-storey section was built in 1995.

The museum experienced some damage to its facade in the earthquakes of 2010-2011, but it still emerged in sound condition. Almost all of the collections were undamaged. The statue of William Rolleston, however, was knocked off its plinth. Rolleston was the superintendent of Canterbury Province until 1877.

The Museum show-cases displays on Antarctica, costumes, indigenous birds, and the history of the Maori and European peoples in New Zealand. Also covered are Asian decorative arts, geology and natural sciences. Access is also available to research materials.