PO Box 95
Lyttelton 8841
Te Ūaka recognises Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke as Mana Whenua and Mana Moana for Te Whakaraupō / Lyttelton Harbour.
The deck of the sailing ship Ngahou, crowded with sheep, early 1900’s. Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum ref 6796.1
Telling the Harbour Stories
Our Collection began almost fifty years ago when bound volumes of The Lyttelton Times were relieved of a few hastily-stashed takeaways. Now it has grown to include more than 20000 objects, photographs and archival resources donated by the people of Lyttelton, the wider harbour community, and beyond. With our collection, we tell stories unique to Lyttelton/Whakaraupō over six key themes: Mana Whenua, Colonial Canterbury, Lyttelton Local, Maritime, Antarctic, and Lyttelton by Nature
Themes
Collections within our Collection
Water pouring into the Graving Dock at Lyttelton Port during the 23 May 1960 Tsunami. Fletcher Series, Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum ref 14986.143
Fletcher Series
The Fletcher Series is a collection of historical photographs and clippings collated by C.M. Fletcher, who lived in Cressy Terrace, Lyttelton. Spread over three albums, the content is grouped by topic, and includes many photographs of port activity, often enhanced with Fletcher’s own annotations.
Watercolour and pencil portrait of D. E. L. Collett, mounted on board. Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum ref 4523.1
Dr Upham’s Portraits
In addition to being Lyttelton’s well-known and well-liked ‘Little Doctor’, Dr Charles H. Upham was also a keen portrait artist. Lyttelton Museum holds more than 200 of Dr Upham’s watercolours, many of which are wry observations of prominent local figures, sometimes including verse.
High-backed chair with carved wooden frame, Lyttelton Harbour Board insignia and leather upholstery. Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum ref 61.1
Lyttelton Harbour Board
As manager of the Harbour, the Lyttelton Harbour Board wielded major influence in the town for over a century, before being disestablished through local government reform in 1989. Lyttelton Museum holds multiple items that were donated by the Harbour Board or relate to their activities, including records, diving and wharf equipment, and a very impressive chair.
Object Donations
Donations from generous individuals, groups and organisations have made our collection what it is today, and we always welcome the chance to discuss a potential donation.
We collect based on an item’s connection to the Lyttelton/Whakaraupo area, and how it ties in with our six collection themes. We also take into account the condition of an object, whether it is already represented in our collection, and whether we are sure we can care for it.
Painting of the 'Port Lyttelton' being unloaded by Trevor R Owens, 1962. Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum ref 14484.1
Donating items to Te Ūaka
Donations will be considered where they clearly match the following selection criteria:
a) The item is directly related to a person, group or event in the history of Whakaraupo Lyttelton Harbour, that is:
- items which belonged to a person born in or active in the area;
- items created in the area or created by a person born or active in the area;
- items used in an event or created to commemorate an event in the history of the area.
b) The item is relevant to the history of the peoples of the area.
c) The item is indirectly related to the history of area. That is:
- items which belonged to or were created by a person born in the area but active elsewhere
- items which reflect nationwide or worldwide trends, or
- events which have had a marked impact upon people in the area.
It’s a little more difficult for us to accept material while the collection is in storage, but we are happy to talk about whether it is possible to take an object now or in the future.
If you have something you’d like to offer for donation, please get in touch!
Email: info@teuaka.co.nz
Phone: 03 328-9872
Looking to donate funds?
Continue your journey here.
Model ship 'Amir' in a bottle, with painted backdrop. Te Ūaka The Lyttelton Museum ref 4026.1