Irish Guy's World the World Trips
Maori Treasures Gallery - Auckland Museum, New Zealand
Auckland's imposing museum building stands in the Auckland Domain on the rim of an ancient volcano surrounded by parks and gardens. It has the largest collection of Maori and Polynesian artifacts in the world, and for this reason alone is worth a visit.
Major refurbishment of the museum is now complete, and the extensive Maori Treasures Gallery is a must-see. Key attractions in this area are the impressive 82-foot war canoe chiseled from one enormous totara trunk and covered with intricate carvings. That same artistry is reflected in the 85-foot meetinghouse, with its carved and painted walls and rafters. Also on display are magnificent greenstone weapons, tools, and feather cloaks. Three times a day--at 11am, noon, and 1:30pm--Maori concerts by the Manaia Maori Performance Group bring this culture to life.
Pacific Pathways is a moody area housing a world-renowned collection of Pacific artifacts; New Zealand at War--Scars on the Heart tells an emotional story of New Zealand in conflict, from the Land Wars of the 1840s to its present-day peacekeeping operations. The first-floor Natural History Galleries showcase everything from dinosaur skeletons to live seaside rock pools. It's a fascinating area well supported by the superb Discovery Centre. My favorite gallery is the thought-provoking Wild Child, which displays the experiences that shaped a colonial childhood.
This first-rate museum experience gives a marvelous introduction to New Zealand history and culture. To get the most from it, allow 2 to 3 hours minimum. An on-site cafe is open during museum hours.
Read more at my blog: www.irish-guy.com or via these specific story links -
Auckland - New Zealand (Auckand Museum and 1st Impressions) , Auckland - New Zealand (Mount Eden and hangover) , Auckland - New Zealand (Lionzone and Skytower) ,
Maori Treasures Gallery - Auckland Museum, New Zealand
Auckland's imposing museum building stands in the Auckland Domain on the rim of an ancient volcano surrounded by parks and gardens. It has the largest collection of Maori and Polynesian artifacts in the world, and for this reason alone is worth a visit.
Major refurbishment of the museum is now complete, and the extensive Maori Treasures Gallery is a must-see. Key attractions in this area are the impressive 82-foot war canoe chiseled from one enormous totara trunk and covered with intricate carvings. That same artistry is reflected in the 85-foot meetinghouse, with its carved and painted walls and rafters. Also on display are magnificent greenstone weapons, tools, and feather cloaks. Three times a day--at 11am, noon, and 1:30pm--Maori concerts by the Manaia Maori Performance Group bring this culture to life.
Pacific Pathways is a moody area housing a world-renowned collection of Pacific artifacts; New Zealand at War--Scars on the Heart tells an emotional story of New Zealand in conflict, from the Land Wars of the 1840s to its present-day peacekeeping operations. The first-floor Natural History Galleries showcase everything from dinosaur skeletons to live seaside rock pools. It's a fascinating area well supported by the superb Discovery Centre. My favorite gallery is the thought-provoking Wild Child, which displays the experiences that shaped a colonial childhood.
This first-rate museum experience gives a marvelous introduction to New Zealand history and culture. To get the most from it, allow 2 to 3 hours minimum. An on-site cafe is open during museum hours.
Read more at my blog: www.irish-guy.com or via these specific story links -
Auckland - New Zealand (Auckand Museum and 1st Impressions) , Auckland - New Zealand (Mount Eden and hangover) , Auckland - New Zealand (Lionzone and Skytower) ,