Carved figure on main pole at marae meeting house, Maori and Colonial Museum, Okains Bay, Banks Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand

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Okains Bay Māori & Colonial Museum

Banks Peninsula


Northeast of Akaroa, this museum has a respectable array of European pioneer artefacts, but it is the nationally significant Māori collection, featuring a replica wharenui (meeting house), waka (canoes), stone tools and personal adornments, that make this a worthwhile detour. Note the cute shop down the road.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Banks Peninsula attractions

1. Hinewai Reserve

6.79 MILES

Get a glimpse of what the peninsula once looked like with a stroll through this privately owned 1250-hectare nature reserve, which has been replanted with…

2. St Patrick's Catholic Church

7.34 MILES

Akaroa's Catholic church (1863) is a cute, frilly edged old dear, featuring richly coloured stained glass imported from Stuttgart.

3. Old French Cemetery

7.36 MILES

The first consecrated burial ground in Canterbury, this hillside monument makes for a poignant wander. Follow the trail (up the hill) off Rue Brittan.

4. Customs House

7.57 MILES

Erected in 1858 near Daly's Wharf, this diminutive historic building helped to control the smuggling of alcohol into the town.

5. Akaroa Museum

7.58 MILES

An arduous post-quake revamp has rewarded Akaroa with a smart, contemporary regional museum. Learn about the various phases of the peninsula's settlement,…

6. Giant’s House

7.59 MILES

An ongoing labour of love by local artist Josie Martin, this whimsical garden is really one giant artwork, a combination of sculpture and mosaics that…

7. St Peter's Anglican Church

7.6 MILES

Graciously restored in 2015, this 1864 Anglican gem features extensive exposed timbers, stained glass and a historic organ. Well worth a peek whether you…

8. War Memorial

7.64 MILES

Unveiled in 1923, the elaborate cupola, spire and flying buttresses of the Akaroa War Memorial are a grand tribute to locals who gave their lives fighting…