Collections Online

From across the web we’ve brought together many of the places you can explore our amazing collections. If you’re a Natural Science fan, a Human History buff or you love Documentary Heritage, this is the place for you online.

AN INCREDIBLE LIFE IN PHOTOS

Explore the Sir Edmund Hillary Archive

Explore the newly catalogued Hillary Pictorial Archive, featuring more than 7,000 photos from Sir Edmund Hillary’s personal collection. These provide a first-hand record of his world-famous international expeditions and of his family life.
In 2008, Sir Edmund Hillary’s extensive personal archive was bequeathed to Auckland Museum and we received funding to support the digitisation of the pictorial items in the collection. Recognised internationally for its importance, this collection has been placed on the UNESCO International Memory of the World Register.

View collection

SPRINGBOK TOUR PROTEST PHOTOGRAPHY

Narrated interactive

A Walk Around the Park

During the infamous 1981 Springbok Rugby Tour of New Zealand, photographer John Mercer documented the clash between protesters and police during the Third Test at Eden Park.

Forty years on, in partnership with John Mercer and Google Arts & Culture, we've released a series of his photos and audio narration where John recollects his memories from that day.

Launch experience

Explore our Applied Arts and Design Collection using this interactive timeline. Slide to reveal objects from any era, dating back to 1565.

Go

Explore our collections by colour

Go

Ways you can use images of Auckland Museum collection items

Add interest to your internet

We've made a Google Chrome extension that shares a photo of an object from our Collection every time you open a new browser tab.

Download now

Spruce up your Zoom background

Our favourite collection item images, for use as your screensaver or background to your video calls.

Download now

Brighten up your day by colouring our collections

Botanical drawings, vintage posters and iconic illustrations have been turned into downloadable colouring-in pages. Take some time out to be mindful and colour-in our collections today.

Download now

Staff favourite collection objects

Hear from Nina Finigan, Curator Manuscripts on her favourite two objects in the Auckland Museum collection, filmed in 2017.

To view more information about the letter mentioned visit this collections record page.

ONLINE EXHIBITION

Crown Lynn Showcase

Take a trip down memory lane with an online exhibition of our Crown Lynn collection, via Google Arts and Culture.

launch exhibition

GOOGLE ARTS & CULTURE

Beauty is in the eye of the purse-holder

The protruding claws may not scream elegance at first, but this purse crafted from the foot of an albatross is part of a long history of pouches and bags fashioned from seabirds. Take a Google Arts & Culture audio tour of this peculiar purse and learn how such a curious object came into being.

Listen Now