Lyttelton Stories: exploring local history through the eyes of tamariki

In late 2025, Jessie and Meg Nicholl worked with a group of tamariki at Lyttelton Primary School to create a children’s archaeology exhibition. The exhibition was curated, designed and launched the children, using artefacts recovered during archaeological work in the township.

The museum was launched at the school on 19 November 2025, and then displayed at the Lyttelton library until 19 December. Now you can see it online here!

Over the course of six sessions, Jessie and Meg introduced the students to the archaeology of Ōhinehou Lyttelton, engaging them with artefacts that had been found in Lyttelton, teaching them about what you can learn from archaeology and why it matters.

From this, the children began to work on their own interpretations of the artefacts. Some created zines, others built some fabulous models.

Jessie and Meg were supported in this work by the fabulous staff at Lyttelton Primary School. Rewi Couch generously shared his knowledge of the Māori history and archaeology of Whakaraupō. The project would not have been possible without our generous sponsors, Christchurch City Council and Lyttelton Port Company.

Image: Lyttelton, Muir and Moodie, 1912, Te Papa.