Exhibitions

Current and upcoming exhibitions

From ancient civilisations to the world's wildlife, the range of exhibitions coming to Auckland Museum has something for everyone. And remember, Museum Members get unlimited free access to all paid exhibitions as well as many more benefits. Find out more about becoming a member here.

Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches
ON NOW

Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches

See bloodsuckers in a whole new light. Featuring immersive experiences, larger-than-life installations, and interactive elements, this exhibition will answer your biting questions about blood feeding creatures, whether they’re from the natural or supernatural realm.

From Dracula to mosquitoes and ticks, Bloodsuckers explores the incredible diversity, evolution, and interconnected world of nature’s ‘vampires’, and the myths, legends, and pop culture they have inspired. 

Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches is produced and circulated by ROM (Royal Ontario Museum), Toronto, Canada

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Mana: Protest in Print
ON NOW

Mana: Protest in Print

Feel the Mana of 1970s protest in print, in the new exhibition that spotlights the groundbreaking newspaper that platformed Māori and Pacific voices across some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most defining years in activism.

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Upcoming exhibitions

Check out a sneak-peek of our future exhibitions below, and sign up to our What's On e-newsletter to be the first to know when tickets go on sale. 

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

DIVA

JUN – OCT 2025

From nineteenth century opera singers and goddesses of stage and film to contemporary global superstars, DIVA will reveal how the diva has been subverted or embraced, across gender, genres and history. Featuring icons such as Maria Callas, Dusty Springfield, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cher and Rihanna, DIVA celebrates how performers continue to redefine the term.  

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© Australian Museum

Sharks

DEC 2025 – APR 2026

Created by the Australian Museum, Sharks invites you to explore the fascinating, and often misunderstood, world of sharks. Come face-to-face with life-sized scientifically accurate shark models, including one of the most famous and feared species of shark, the Great White Shark. Learn through artefacts and tactile displays; be immersed in a 3D interactive scan of a shark body; and see the world in a 360-degree view through the eyes of a Hammerhead Shark. 

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a quarter of the world's sharks are threatened with extinction. Sharks presents the very latest information on conservation, sharks’ impact on oceans, and efforts to protect sharks.

Ming: The Golden Empire, National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh, UK.

Ming: The Golden Empire

JUN - OCT 2026

Discover the brilliance of the Ming dynasty in Ming: The Golden Empire. This stunning exhibition explores revolutionary social change, artistic achievement, and cultural richness through treasures from Nanjing Museum, that rarely leave China. From imperial luxuries to everyday objects, uncover the story of one of China’s greatest eras—brought to life with striking visuals, films, and interactive displays. A rare glimpse into a Golden Age of Chinese history. 

Exhibition produced by Nomad Exhibitions in association with Nanjing Museum. 

Past exhibitions

Missed an exhibition? Explore our online content and exhibition archive here. 

Virtual exhibitions

Browse from home

Virtual exhibitions

Go beyond the walls of the Museum to discover past exhibitions online, as well as bonus content from current special exhibitions. 

explore from home

Our recent Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs exhibition
Past exhibitions

Past exhibitions

Go back through the years of Auckland Museum exhibitions.

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From our 2018 exhibition Are We There Yet?

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