About Our Collections

The formation of Auckland Museum’s first collections began in 1852, when the Museum was first established, and they have been growing ever since.

These collections were initially designed to preserve and display the 'exotic' flora and fauna of the new country, and the arts, crafts and relics of its people, as well as to reflect the original cultures of the newly arrived settlers.

During the second half of the 19th Century, Auckland Museums collections grew rapidly. Impressive New Zealand natural science collections, and profoundly important archaeological and ethnographic Maori collections were assembled. Read more »

HUMAN HISTORY

Auckland Museum protects and cares for nearly 200,000 human history objects, in collections that have been developed and cared for over 150 years. Read more about the Applied & Decorative Arts, Archaeology, Ethnology and the New Zealand History Collections.

NATURAL SCIENCE

Auckland Museum's natural science collections contain almost 1.5 million specimens, mostly from New Zealand and the Pacific. Read more about the botany, entomology, land vertebrates and the marine collections.

PICTORIAL COLLECTIONS

The Auckland Museum’s Pictorial Collection, consisting of photographs, paintings and drawings, is truly world class. View the Sparrow Collection, the Robin Morrison Collection, the paintings and drawings collection, photograph albums, glass plates and negatives and the print collections.

LIBRARY RESOURCES

Auckland Museum is home to one of New Zealand's finest research libraries and hosts information centres and services specialising in aspects of the Museum's expertise and collection areas. Enjoy easy access to our extensive research and resource material.