Professor David Hutchinson, physicist at the University of Otago and Board Chair of Tūhura Otago Museum, is taking on one of the world’s toughest open-water swims, the Cook Strait, to raise funds for urgently needed fire sprinklers at the Museum.

Home to around 2 million nationally and internationally significant items, Tūhura Otago Museum safeguards Aotearoa’s history and heritage. But vital protections, like fire sprinklers, remain unfunded. David’s daring swim aims to help secure these taonga for generations to come.

Swimming the Cook Strait is no small feat, braving cold, rough waters, strong currents, and marine life including sharks and jellyfish over 22–26 kilometres between Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds. His extraordinary challenge highlights the urgent need to protect Tūhura’s irreplaceable collections.

Your donation will directly fund the installation of fire sprinklers and help safeguard one of New Zealand’s most significant museum collections. Every contribution counts.