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Hokitika’s historical highlights – a new programme of guided walks

Hokitika Museum is trialling a new offering – a 50 minute guided walking tour of Hokitika’s heritage hot-spots. These walks, taken by knowledgeable and entertaining guides, will give locals and visitors the opportunity to learn more about Hokitika’s fascinating past and compare it to the present with the aid of photographs and stories.

The groups will be led by a Hokitika Museum staff member who will be dressed in period costume portraying a particular Westland identity – initially Dr Ebenezer Teichelmann or Premier Richard Seddon.

The walks, which will highlight many of Hokitika’s distinctive features, will run on demand and bookings are essential. When there are booking walks will be undertaken at 10.30 a.m. and at 7.00 p.m. when there will be a special evening tour with a hosted visit to the Museum after the walk (2 hours).

Prices are $15 for the morning tour and $35 for the evening tour (children are $5 for both tours) with each tour including free admission to Hokitika Museum. Minimum numbers are two adults or one adult and three children.

The guided walks must be pre-booked at either the Hokitika i-Site (03 755 6166) or Hokitika Museum (03 755 6898).

The Hokitika Museum has an on-going digital scanning out-reach programme. This initiative is preserving some great treasures. Please contact the museum if you would like to be involved.

Email: enquiries@hokitikamuseum.co.nz

The Rugby World Cup 2011 seems an appropriate time to celebrate the West Coast’s first All Black. Hokitika half back Henry Butland was selected in 1893 for the first official New Zealand Rugby Union sanctioned team. To join the squad Harry walked most of the way from Hokitika to the departure port of Lyttelton near Christchuch. The team made an 11-match tour to Australia, losing just one game and Harry was described as ‘one of the stars of the team’.