New Zealand’s geographic isolation has served to forge our identity as a country, and as New Zealanders. We are a nation of innovators, dreamers and pioneers. People who are driven to find their own course, to seek out new possibilities with imagination and conviction. Nowhere stronger is this expression of our New Zealand identity than through our bond with the ocean. From the first discovery by Kupe, to one of the most courageous migrations by the Polynesian peoples, to Abel Tasman and Captain James Cook. Our spirit of exploration has been forged and the boundaries of possibility are broken. From this spirit has emerged many of the world’s greatest maritime pioneers. The New Zealand Maritime Museum honours those people who sailed to the limits of their imagination. The Maritime Museum aims to provide a rewarding, enjoyable and unique discovery experience for present and future generations through the preservation and presentation of New Zealand’s maritime heritage. The Museum preserves, presents, interprets and celebrates New Zealand’s maritime heritage, in order to educate, entertain and increase public interest in New Zealand and Pacific maritime heritage though innovative exhibitions, displays, demonstrations and educational programmes. We display and present items of national, regional, local and general maritime interest in a way that stimulates interest in this sector and preserves the items for the benefit of the people of New Zealand.