This cannon was on HMB Endeavour when Lieutenant James Cook sailed from England in 1768. Cook was on a voyage of science and discovery. He was also instructed to claim territory for Great Britain, but only if he had the permission of local people.

But in New Zealand, there were violent clashes between the ship’s crew and Māori. In some locations, Māori were killed. The crew used cannon to terrify and subdue.

The Endeavour next sailed to Australia, where it ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef. The crew heaved this cannon and five others overboard to lighten the ship and free it.

Two hundred years later, an American team located the cannon. All six were retrieved, and the Australian Government gifted this one to New Zealand.