Museum Descriptions

60 Words

Welcome to Auckland Museum. Auckland Museum is your first stop to gain an insight into New Zealand and its peoples.

Be inspired by the compelling story of our nation; from our unique natural world and social history to the story of New Zealand at war.

Experience a Maori cultural performance, three times daily (with an extra performance from January to March).

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Under 100 Words

Housed in one of New Zealand’s finest heritage buildings, Auckland Museum is the cultural and spiritual touchstone for the many races that inhabit this beautiful land, and the first stop for anyone wishing to gain an insight into New Zealand and its peoples. Priceless Maori treasures, amazing natural history, Maori cultural performances three times daily.

Open daily 10am – 5pm except Christmas Day. Admission by donation, $10 per adult is suggested, Aucklanders will not be asked to make an admission contribution. Read more,  children are free. Special exhibition charges apply. Infoline 09306 7067, www.aucklandmuseum.com.  

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160 words

Auckland Museum is regarded as one of the finest museums in the Southern Hemisphere and is renowned for its unique collection of Maori and Pacific treasures. It is also a war memorial for the Auckland province.

Housed in one of the country’s finest heritage buildings, the Museum tells the story of New Zealand as a nation; from award-winning natural history exhibits to galleries which investigate New Zealands cultural origins.

Scars on the Heart, the Museum’s war memorial exhibition, tells the story of New Zealand at war, while He Taonga Maori - the Museums Maori treasures gallery, displays over 2000 priceless Maori artefacts, including rare carvings and the last great Maori war canoe carved from a giant Totara tree.

Auckland Museum is the only venue in Auckland where visitors can experience a Maori cultural performance daily.

Open daily 10am – 5pm except Christmas Day. Admission by donation, $10 per adult is suggested, Aucklanders will not be asked to make an admission contribution. Read more,  children are free. Special exhibition charges apply. Infoline 09306 7067, www.aucklandmuseum.com.  

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350 words

Housed in one of New Zealand’s finest heritage buildings, Auckland Museum has the most significant collection of Maori and Pacific treasures in the southern hemisphere. From the great Polynesian voyages which first brought people to Aotearoa, to the diverse cultures and communities that make up Auckland today, Auckland Museum portrays the rich diversity of New Zealand.

The Museum is spread over three floors each telling a significant New Zealand story. The Ground Floor tells the story of New Zealand the people and their place in the Pacific. The Maori Gallery - displays over 2,000 priceless treasures, including rare carvings and the last great Maori war canoe used in battle. Adjacent to these treasures are the Pacific Masterpieces and Lifeways galleries presenting Pacific arts, history and culture. These galleries and others, tell the story of New Zealands people.

On the first floor, natural history galleries explain New Zealand’s remarkable flora and fauna, from the subtropical north to the mountainous south. These galleries trace New Zealands ancient origins from the great lost continent of Gondwana and are complemented by interactive and award-winning childrens discovery centres. The discovery centres feature hundreds of hands-on displays and interactive activities to keep the kids captivated.
On the top floor, Halls of Memory record the names of Aucklanders lost in military conflict while Scars on the Heart, the Museum’s war memorial exhibition, tells the compelling story of New Zealand’s emergence as a nation through the loss and suffering of war.

Auckland Museum is the only venue in Auckland were visitors can experience a Maori Cultural performance three times daily, or four times from January to March. The Museum Store offers an exceptional range of quality New Zealand and Pacific handcrafts, from wooden carvings and jade, to books, fine jewellery, ceramics and glassware. A café is also on site.

Open daily 10am – 5pm except Christmas Day. Admission by donation, $10 per adult is suggested, Aucklanders will not be asked to make an admission contribution. Read more,  children are free. Special exhibition charges apply. Infoline 09306 7067, www.aucklandmuseum.com.