Unique Okains Bay Museum
Located in Okains Bay, the Okains Bay Museum stands out among New Zealand's small community museums. Located on Banks Peninsula, it offers a rich narrative of local history, largely due to the efforts of its founder, Murray Thacker. The museum is renowned for its impressive collection of Māori taonga and settlement-era artefacts, providing a comprehensive look into the lives of early Māori and European settlers.
The Vision of Murray Thacker
Murray Thacker, a third-generation resident of Okains Bay, developed a passion for Māori taonga from a young age. As a teenager, he acquired two significant collections of artefacts that had been gathered in the 1930s and 1940s. He also collected items himself before such activities were restricted by law. As an adult, while managing a farm, Thacker continued to expand his private collection, which included Māori waka (canoes).
Establishment of the Museum
In the late 1960s, the closure of a local cheese factory provided Thacker with the opportunity to establish a formal museum. Over the next nine years, he restored the historic buildings and relocated others to the site. Among the museum's more unusual buildings is a grandstand from the turn of the 20th century, located at the back of the property.
He also oversaw the construction of the Whakaata, Pātaka, and Whare Taonga by skilled Māori craftsmen.
A Rich Collection of Artefacts
Today, Okains Bay Museum boasts one of the finest collections of Māori taonga and settlement-era artefacts outside New Zealand's major metropolitan museums. The museum excels in narrating the stories of early Māori and European settlers, offering insights into their daily lives and experiences.
How to Get There
From Christchurch, take State Highway 75 towards Akaroa on Banks Peninsula. The turnoff onto Okains Bay Road is between Duvaucelle Bay and Robinson Bay, before Akaroa, and is clearly signposted. The road takes you over the crater rim, then drops down to Okains, with spectacular views. The museum is located in the heart of the small settlement.
While in the area, there are numerous other opportunities for exploration, including Le Bons Bay, Ōtepātotu Track, and Hinewai Reserve.
