Auckland Museum

I took a walk down to the Auckland Museum this morning, took about a half an hour to get there. Admission was only $5.00, and that was only a 'suggested donation', turns out if you really didn't want to, or didn't have the cash, you didn't have to pay anything, they would let you in free.

The museum is divided into three sections by floors. The main floor was tribal and cultural history, outlining the Maori culture as well as that of other islands surrounding New Zealand, such as Tonga and Samoa. They have all kinds of articles on display, from traditional fishing instruments, to ceremonial dance outfits, to articles of war. One of the most interesting and imposing items they had there was a large war canoe, carved out of one giant tree. It was almost 100 feet long, and had intricate carvings all down the side, and across the front and the back. It could fit over 100 warriors at a time inside, and apparently was used in the ocean to transport between islands when invading. The front had a large carving sticking up about 6-8 feet in the air, reminiscent of Viking boats, which also had a large piece of wood at the bow of the bow, rising up high into the air. If you look up Ngatokimatawhaorua on the Internet, you can get an idea of how large these war canoes are. Ngatokimatawhaorua (say it three times real fast) is the largest ever built, and was launched in 1940. Apparently it is launched once every year, for ceremonial purposes.

The second floor of the museum consists of land and aquatic animal history and evolution, as well as geological samples and information on volcanoes. Typical museum stuff, they have all kinds of taxidermy, rocks, plants and minerals. they did have a rather impressive Great White shark on display, and outlined how if the shark is under a certain size (I think 2 metres or less) they tend to feed mostly on fish. However, over that size, they not only feed on other fish, but attack larger sea life and mammals (?), which I can only guess means surfers, schoolchildren, divers and tourists thrashing about in the ocean.

The third floor of the museum is where I spent the most time. It is committed as a war memorial, and has a large number of exhibits on display. They have lists of all casualties New Zealand suffered in WWI, WWII, the Korean war, Vietnam, as well as smaller wars most people probably have never heard of, including the Maori wars, and the South African war. They have two planes on display, Both from WWII, a Zero and a Spitfire, both completely re-done. Weapons - from long guns, machine guns, cannons, pistols, muskets, knifes, scabbards, swords and spears, they have a lot. They also have armour dating back several hundred years, including traditional Japanese armour that was worn by a samurai. Also on display are different types of war medals, what they were for and where they were from.

A definite must-see if you're ever in Auckland.