Whakatere Moana | Maritime

Navigate through the nautical heritage of Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour, following the adventurers, voyagers, and seafarers who have navigated the waters to and around Te Waipounamu South Island in Aotearoa New Zealand. Whakatere Moana Seafaring stories dive into tales of the early Polynesian migrations, European explorations, and the development of seagoing trade and shipping routes that connected Whakaraupō with the wider world. They celebrate the ingenuity and bravery of those who have taken to the sea, from the Māori waka (canoes) that traversed vast oceanic distances guided by the stars, to the tall ships of European colonists forging new lives in distant lands, and the modern vessels that continue to ply these waters today. Through these stories you are invited to explore the developments in shipbuilding, evolution of maritime commerce, and the pivotal role that ports such as Lyttelton continue to play in the economic and social fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand.