1 / 3Canterbury Museum
📍 Christchurch Central City, Canterbury
Canterbury Museum's Gloucester Street pop-up brings collection highlights and rotating exhibitions to central Christchurch. A full-size crocheted wharenui, Photography of the Year display, and dinosaur exhibition fill the space — all with free entry.
Alright, check this out! There's this seriously cool, full-size wharenui that's popping up in Canterbury! Get this – it's not made of wood, but totally crocheted by hand using get this... FIVE THOUSAND balls of super bright, colorful yarn! It's already been blowing minds all over New Zealand, and now it's our turn, Cantabrians! You gotta see this awesome mix of classic Māori carving vibes but done up in neon wool. It's pretty epic!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Free, central, and genuinely surprising — the crocheted wharenui alone justifies the visit. Staff point families straight to the interactive areas.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →5,198 Google reviews
Dave Houlihan
11 months ago
“Alright, check this out! There's this seriously cool, full-size wharenui that's popping up in Canterbury! Get this – it's not made of wood, but totally crocheted by hand using get this... FIVE THOUSAND balls of super bright, colorful yarn! It's already been blowing minds all over New Zealand, and now it's our turn, Cantabrians! You gotta see this awesome mix of classic Māori carving vibes but done up in neon wool. It's pretty epic!”
daniela _ carina
5 months ago
“Usually we are not really into museums but when we visited in the beginning of February 25 we had a really good time walking through the exhibitions (especially the Wharenui Harikoa, because it included light into the art as well) 🥰 Beside the entrance we even had the opportunity to make pompoms at a little creative area, so I would definitely recommend a visit 😊”
Joenna
3 months ago
“Lovely, friendly staff. The guy at the door explained the free exhibitions I could visit. Came for the Photography of the Year photos, great experience and amazing pictures. My favourite is displayed downstairs.⭐️”
N N (Pom)
4 months ago
“Great pop up museum! I am waiting for the new one.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Canterbury Museum's pop-up on Gloucester Street carries the best of the collection the main Rolleston Avenue site is redeveloped. The centrepiece is a full-size wharenui crocheted by hand from five thousand balls of wool. Photography of the Year lines the walls downstairs; a dinosaur exhibition runs alongside. Staff at the entrance brief visitors on what's open and where to find the hands-on creative activities. Pram access throughout. Open daily, free entry.
