The Herbarium contains a number of collections from significant botanists including Auckland Museum curator, Thomas Cheeseman and Captain James Cook's botanists, Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander.

Associated with the Herbarium is an excellent botanical Library containing many rare and early works. The Museum Collection also holds many manuscript notes and letters by notable botanists plus an important collection of botanical art.

Photographs of most type specimens have been taken. Types (and other specimens made by early collectors) of New Zealand material received on loan from overseas herbaria are photographed as a matter of course.

A specialist collection of fern books (bound collections of ferns made by amateurs and professionals such as Eric Craig) is held, along with a small wet collection of flowers, fruit and algae.  A substantial collection of kauri gum is also held.