Chatham Islands, New Zealand

21/10/2024

A real international milestone weekend on the Chatham Islands this weekend. 150 years of science collaboration between the US and New Zealand was celebrated. There was a good turnout at exhibition opening at the museum, a fully booked galaxy dinner and a crowd of around 90 people up at Port Hutt for the field trip and replica observatory opening.

What's it all about? The US sent an expedition from New York to measure the distance been the Earth and the Sun, and many other things, during the Transit of Venus - the passing of Venus between the Earth and the Sun. Port Hutt was one of two locations in New Zealand where this was undertaken. The ship arrived on the Chathams on the 19th October in 1874. This weekend the island hosted an exhibition launch, the opening of the replica of the observatory (now information kiosk) together with an amazing galaxy dinner.

These events have come together through a collaboration between the Chatham Islands Museum, The US Embassy, The Library Company of Philadelphia, Massey University University of Otago, Universities New Zealand and the New Zealand Astronomical Society. A great Kaupapa to have been a part of. Will done to all involved in this international event.

10/10/2024

We're looking forward to celebrating 150 years of science partnership between New Zealand and the United States with the mapping of the Transit of Venus next weekend,19-20 October. Events include the opening of a special exhibition in the Chatham Islands Museum on Saturday at 3pm followed by a Galaxy Dinner and evening of Star Gazing at Kopi Bush Retreat. On Sunday there's a field trip to the camp site at Port Hutt with talks and a BBQ at the new replica observatory information kiosk being held from 12-2pm. Please come along and join in the activities to mark this international occasion.

The event and activities are supported by the Chatham Islands Museum, US Embassy, The Library Company of Philadelphia, Massey University, University of Otago, Universities New Zealand and the New Zealand Astronomical Society.

01/10/2024

Join award-winning author Kate Preece for a delightful story time celebrating the launch of her third children’s book, The Butterfly Fluttered By, featuring the amazing insects of Rēkohu Chatham Island!

Kate will also share her earlier release, Ten Nosey Weka, the first trilingual counting book in te reo Māori and ta rē Moriori. Follow ten curious weka as they embark on fun adventures across Rēkohu!

Don’t miss this special event, part of the Hou Rongo exhibition

Tickets Free – Booking essential https://otagomuseum.nz/whats-on/hou-rongo-book-launch

27/09/2024

Locals and visiting writers, the Air Chathams Chatham Island Writers' Retreat is being planned for 2-7 December. We welcome award winning broadcaster, writer, speaker & environmental advocate Miriama Kamo as our guest author.

This is a wonderful opportunity to spend a week of learning, meeting and sharing with locals and visiting writers, stepping into the Island’s culture and seeing many special places. Register your interest at https://forms.gle/9FyoFidx2JdkvgDs5 or FB message us for details.

21/09/2024

https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/songs-heart?fbclid=IwY2xjawFbYjtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVXSkmxftU-zJp_PsJvwG7DurdPJj1-MLtyUqFD2IG6sGzsB1_kP8zF45A_aem_43W00cuhdyD1OaoJtXYRbQ

An immersive new exhibition transports you to Rēkohu, Kaia Kahurangi Jamieson writes. There is something undeniably meditative about the rhythm of...

10/09/2024

Come along for an introduction to tchimiriki/tamariki/children’s rongo/songs in Moriori! You’ll have a chance to make and decorate a porotiti, a taonga puoro/musical instrument that emulates the sound of the wind, and learn a rongo to sing while you play it.

08/09/2024

Looking forward to this impressive immersive exhibition, Hou Rongo – Moriori, Music, Manawa opening at Tūhura Otago Museum this Saturday and running till the 27th October. A "must see" and congratulations to all involved. Hokotehi Moriori Trust.

A ‘first-of-its-kind’ exhibition showcasing Moriori culture is coming to Tūhura Otago Museum. Hou Rongo – Moriori, Music, Manawa, the result of a partnership between the Hokotehi Moriori Trust and a team of Otago researchers

27/08/2024

18/08/2024

This year’s Festival of Science was another outstanding event. The festival drew around 60 people to hear the talks. A special welcome to the American Ambassador Tom Udall. Topics included geology; work to protect rare and endangered species; caring for wooden structures; assessing habitation and fish species in non-commercial fishing reserves; infrasound and global monitoring; predator control and the 150 year Anniversary of the Transit of Venus.
A big thank you to the sponsors and everyone who made this possible including Massey University Air Chathams Hotel Chathams Hokotehi Moriori Trust Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust Chatham Islands Museum Chatham Islands Council Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust and Chatham Island Tours 2014 Ltd. Especially to David Johnston Alicia, Friends of Whareweka and and the wonderful team who brought this together.

07/08/2024

Looking forward to some excellent events at next weeks Festival of Science on the Chatham Islands. Here's the programme. If you are on Islands come along and enjoy the presentations and activities.

01/08/2024

HOU RONGO EXHIBITION | LAUNCH EVENT

In a marriage of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology, a research team from the University of Otago has partnered with the Hokotehi Moriori Trust on a two-year groundbreaking project to illuminate the cultural vibrance of ta imi Moriori.

The project merges traditional Moriori knowledge with cutting-edge technology and is supported by a team of scientists, musicians and media artists from New Zealand and abroad.

The strong connection between ta imi Moriori and the natural world are brought into the modern world with 3D printed miheke oro (musical treasures), film, photogrammetry, sound-design and scent reconstruction.

Visitors to the exhibition can immerse themselves in the vibrance of Moriori culture through multi-sensory activities utilising physical, digital, and extended reality components while enjoying rongo (songs), stories, and hands-on wānanga (workshops).

A launch event will be held on Friday, September 13, from 5.30 pm to 8pm. Members are invited to attend by RSVP only, as there are limited seats. If you wish to attend the launch, please RSVP to [email protected] by 5pm on Monday, August 5. Hokotehi Moriori Trust will pay $100 towards flights for members wishing to attend the launch event.

The exhibition, Hou Rongo: A Multisensory Experience of Moriori Culture, will run at Tūhura Otago Museum in Dunedin from 14 September – 26 October 2024.

22/07/2024

The only Winter Blues we have at Kopi Retreat is…..Blue Cod 🐟Every stay at Kopi Retreat includes a half-day fishing trip with us, with a high chance of catching some famous Chatham Island Blue Cod.

07/07/2024

Something new and impressive for the Chatham Island Festival of Science. next month.

19/06/2024

11/06/2024

Sharing some of the great work happening on and around the Chatham Islands by the Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust

27/05/2024

Chatham Island Med Winter Christmas dinner & 8 night tour. Pau, crayfish, sightseeing, no solo traveller supplement