Best Museums in New Zealand
Museums are plentiful throughout the regions, towns and cities though most are small and of limited interest. However, the country's major museums are excellent and well worth a visit.
They are;
Te Papa Museum (Wellington)
New Zealand's best museum and every Kiwi's pride and joy. The country is rightly proud of its innovative and high tech national museum. Featuring extensive collections documenting the lives of the Maori and early settlers whilst also celebrating the beauty of the natural world. A virtual bungy jump and an earthquake simulator are the pick of the interactive activities. And if that's not enough then the museum also houses one of the country's finest restaurants.
National Maritime Museum (Auckland)
Dedicated to New Zealand's national obsession - sailing, and the sea. Excellent, well-designed displays of all types of boat - from Maori vessels, immigrant ships and jet boats to America's Cup racing yachts. A major new area is dedicated to national hero Sir Peter Blake, the most revered yachtsman of all time in New Zealand, who famously won the America's Cup in 1995.
National War Memorial Museum (Auckland)
Housed in an imposing building in one of Auckland's oldest parks. Contains comprehensive displays of Maori and South Pacific culture and art, the natural world and New Zealand at war. Live performances of Maori songs and dances are held three times a day and are a particular highlight. Includes excellent interactive displays and activities for children and families.
Rotorua Museum of Art and History
Located in the old spa buildings of the colonial-style Rotorua Government Gardens. Plenty of local Maori treasures but the main emphasis is on the events of 1886 when the nearby volcanic Mount Tarawera erupted. Includes informative videos and a quake simulator together with details of the ghostly war canoe that appeared as a warning of the eruption. Pleasant café, lovely grounds including croquet lawn and 9-hole golf course.
Canterbury Museum (Christchurch)
Excellent museum next to the Botanic Gardens. Good Maori and Early Colonist displays but most memorable for the Antarctic Exploration section. Has a Discovery Centre for children and a good café overlooking the Gardens.
The Elvis Presley Memorial Record Room
Eccentric but brilliant. Local painter and decorator Kevin Wasley is famous the world over for his Elvis Presley Memorial Record Room, stuffed full of memorabilia celebrating the life of the ‘King'. Located in Kevin's garage in Hawera.
Best of the Rest
Southland Museum, Invercargill - famous for its Tuatara House that is home to several of these ancient lizard-like reptiles. Henry, the oldest resident, recently became a dad at the grand old age of 111 years! Tuataras can live for 150 years in captivity.
Wanganui Regional Museum, Wanganui - outstanding collection of Maori artefacts and canoes together with controversial portraits of Maori leaders (are they boring or deeply insightful?).
Waikato Museum of Art and History, Hamilton - housed in a modern building on the banks of the Waikato River. Good Maori collections including carvings. Interactive science area for children and great café.
Southward Car Museum, Paraparaumu (Nr. Wellington) - the largest private collection of classic and unusual cars in the world.
Searching for the best museums in New Zealand
NZMuseums is a great site to help you find museums and explore collections. Visit them at www.nzmuseums.co.nz and try their image search widget below.