I AM FREE for Aucklanders

Auckland Museum is open for the people of Auckland forever, no donation requested.

To ensure all Aucklanders can enjoy their museum throughout the year, Auckland Museum has permanently waived the entry donation for residents of the Auckland region.

The Auckland region stretches from the Franklin area through to the Rodney district.

For the first visit, you’ll need to bring in personal ID and proof of your Auckland address (a power or phone bill, rates notice, library card etc). While you’re here you can sign up for your free I AM AUCKLAND MUSEUM card and then present that for free entry to the Museum, forever.

Home to millions of objects which capture our natural, social and cultural history, Auckland Museum is also a war memorial for the province of Auckland and holds one of New Zealand’s top three heritage libraries. It holds unparalleled Pacific and Maori collections, including 2000 priceless Maori artefacts, an award-winning children’s discovery centre and the war memorial exhibition Scars on the Heart.

Auckland Museum is open 364 days a year from 10am – 5pm. (Closed on Christmas Day) General admission for non-Aucklanders is by donation. $10 per adult is suggested. Children and students aged 15 years and under are free.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use as proof of residence?

Rates Bill
Utility Bill
Greater Auckland Region library card
Any mail to your address from an official source (e.g. bank statements, loyalty cards, telephone/internet bills, etc).

What if I have friends visiting?
Many Aucklanders will have friends and family visiting throughout the year who accompany them to the Museum. We will ask them for an admission contribution, because we want this to be something special for Aucklanders. Please help us out by keeping our funding intact for our exhibitions and programmes by bringing your proof of Auckland residence with you and encouraging your visitors to contribute.

Why will non-Aucklanders still be asked for a donation?
Non-Aucklanders are not levied through their rates for Museum. It is important that the Museum continues to raise some of its own funding to help produce world-class programmes.

Why do we have to pay for special exhibits and programmes?
The costs of producing special exhibitions isn’t covered by our levy, so we rely on visitors that want to see the exhibitions and events to help enable us to keep producing them.

Will I need to bring ID and proof of residence for my whole family?
As long as one family member has proof of residence, then ID to prove you are related will be fine. Remember, children and students aged 15 years and under are free.

I’m a Member – I am already not asked for donation – what is in this for me?
As a Member, you may be able to visit our special exhibitions free or at a reduced cost.

‘Why do we need to bring in proof of address when entry is by donation anyway? Why can’t I just come in and say “I don’t want to make a donation”?
You can still do that if you want. But we hope you’ll bring in something to show your Auckland residency.