Canterbury Museum

It’s exciting times for Canterbury Museum as a major five-year redevelopment is now underway at its Rolleston Avenue site. This means that the museum is closed to the public for the duration of the works. But, do not fear–while we wait for the opening of the brand new museum, a pop-up a few blocks away serves as a temporary museum space. 

The museum pop-up can be found upstairs in the CoCA building on Gloucester Street, just around the corner from Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Half of the exhibition space is dedicated to showcasing temporary exhibitions, which will change a few times a year to keep things interesting for returning visitors. 

The other half of the space displays museum collection highlights and visitor favourites, such as the much-loved horse that most little ones enjoy riding, objects from the old Antarctic Gallery, an impressive locally discovered moa bone, and a number of rarely displayed items including exotic taxidermied animals. 

At the museum pop-up, visitors can also take a look at plans for the redevelopment and get an idea of what to expect when the museum reopens its doors beside the Botanic Gardens. 

Visiting the pop-up museum is free, though donations are much appreciated. Its upstairs exhibition space can be accessed via stairs or elevator. Downstairs, you’ll find the CoCA exhibition space, which showcases modern art made in or connected to Waitaha Canterbury, as well as Lux Espresso, brewers of some of the best coffee in town.