Celebrating our marvellous museums
Celebrate Auckland's marvellous museums on International Museum Day.
International Museum Day is 18 May, and we’re celebrating by taking a look at some of the wonderful things that can be explored in Auckland’s museums.
We’ve got everything from Polynesian artefacts to military history to vintage vehicles, all housed in more than 50 museums across the region.
In this list we’ve picked just five to take a look at, so make sure you check out everything Tāmaki Makaurau museums have to offer by browsing this comprehensive list.
Big and beautiful: Auckland Museum
We couldn’t talk about museums without mentioning our biggest one. Auckland Museum, sitting pretty in the Auckland Domain, houses the world’s most extensive Māori and Pacific Island collection, as well as many artefacts from around the globe. Read more
Seafarers’ secrets: Maritime Museum
Being an island nation, New Zealand is intrinsically linked to the sea. Learn about how the first settlers arrived here from Polynesia, European discovery, and our modern heroes like Sir Peter Blake. There’s plenty of hands-on learning, not to mention the chance to jump aboard a vessel yourself and take to the seas. Read more
From cars to computers: MOTAT
Kids and adults alike will be thrilled by the exhibits and interactive displays here. Explore the history and development of New Zealand transport, technology and Kiwi ingenuity, and make sure you don’t miss the Aviation Display Hall, which houses one of the largest aviation collections in the Southern Hemisphere. Read more
Community roots: Papakura Museum
One of several community museums across the region, Papakura Museum is home to a continually growing collection of photographs, objects and documents which tell the story of Papakura and surrounding districts. The museum also has a military gallery, where you can discover some of the stories of the war and the people who fought it. Read more
A slice of our heritage: Howick Historical Village
Step into the past at this living history museum that lets you learn about Auckland’s colonial period (1840 to 1880). The seven-acre site has a number of buildings and heritage gardens that are a delight to explore. Read more