Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum

23/08/2026

At our AGM on Sunday 16 August, we warmly acknowledged Helen Brown as she stepped down as Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu appointee and Board Chair after 18 years of dedicated service. We also farewelled Canterbury Museum appointee Sarah Murray, and elected board member Justin Fields. Our heartfelt thanks to Helen, Sarah, and Justin for the knowledge, care, and experience you have shared with our community — from Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula, Waitaha / Canterbury, Aotearoa / New Zealand – and visitors from around the globe.Ngā mihi nui koutou. We will be introducing our new Board of Trustees soon.

16/08/2026

Tēnā koutou kātoa.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 16 August. It was wonderful to welcome such a strong gathering of friends, whānau, local residents, descendants of early Okains Bay families, Banks Peninsula’s MP, and Council representatives as we looked back on a year of progress and shared our vision for the museum’s next chapter. Read the Annual Report here:https://okainsbaymuseum.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-Annual-Report-OBM-FINAL-web.pdf

At the meeting, Kerry Mason, Founding Director of MAP Architects, introduced early design concepts and spatial layouts for the museum redevelopment. These plans visualise enhanced collection storage, refreshed exhibition spaces, and flexible new areas that can be used by local community and school groups, and pre-booked tours for years to come. View the redevelopment plans here:https://okainsbaymuseum.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Okains-Bay-Museum-Concept-Stage-2-web.pdf

We would love to hear what you think. Your feedback, questions, and ideas will help shape a welcoming museum for the future. Please email [email protected]

16/07/2026

Last week, downtown Okains Bay reverberated to the sound of 4WDs from the Canterbury Landrover Club. Stopping off at the museum, members checked out exhibits, enjoyed a sausage sizzle and a cuppa in our tearoom. Amongst them were Graeme and Stephanie Chaney, both surprised to see a display of artefacts from the Little Akaloa Store. Here Graeme’s uncle, Alb McClelland, bought his new bride in the 1950s upon becoming the local postmaster. Graeme recalls an elegant, sophisticated woman originally from England who, finding herself in a remote bay on Banks Peninsula, was somewhat “out of her comfort zone”. We couldn’t help but notice another member, Jo, whose warm, winter attire beautifully complemented the whare waka colour scheme!

The line up of vehicles outside reminded us of museum founder, Murray Thacker’s Landrover which was a regular presence, parked outside the museum for many years.

11/07/2026

The skies cleared this morning for our Matariki motorcade to the top of Seftons Rd to view the rising stars with Luca, astronomer guide, from Akaroa Stargazing 🔭 Ngā mihi nui to all those who came, to those who poured the hot chocolate and baked the bikkies, and to the star studded crew back at base who served up an awesome breakfast. Mānawatia a Matariki ✨🌟

10/07/2026

For those lucky to have booked for viewing Matariki tomorrow morning (Sat 11th July) with Luca from akaroastargazing this will be our telescopic vantage point looking out to sea ⭐️

06/07/2026

Still a few places available for our special Matariki hilltop viewing on Saturday 11 July with Luca from Akaroa Stargazing followed by breakfast at the museum. To book, phone 03) 304-8611, email [email protected] or DM us. Afterwards, stay on to follow the Matariki Trail, designed by students from Okains Bay School.

01/07/2026

Students from Akaroa Area School and Okains Bay School stepped back in time last week for an ‘old school’ experience at Okains Bay’s historic school
The two-roomed public school building opened in 1872. A school master of the time would have extended his heartiest thanks to the well-behaved scholars on their exemplary conduct and keen interest in historical discourse.

We’d just like to say thanks heaps to everyone who came and shared their kōrero about how different a day at school must have been back then, especially during the winter!

Does anyone have recollections of past family members who attended the school?

17/06/2026

Mānawatia a Matariki! Gather your whānau and friends on Saturday, 11 July for an unforgettable pre-dawn viewing of the stars from high on the hill overlooking Okains Bay. Astronomy guide Luca from Akaroa Stargazing will give a talk onsite, and after breakfast, back at . For Banks Peninsula residents and visitors staying at Okains Bay Campground or in Akaroa and the Bays over the holiday weekend, phone (03) 304 8611 or email [email protected] to book a place.

16/06/2026

27/05/2026