The Must-Visit Museums of New Zealand
Landscapes and natural beauty are usually at the forefront of a trip around New Zealand. But fascinating stories and more context to the places you’re visiting can be found in the country’s museums.
We’ve listed the best museums in New Zealand so you know which ones you can’t miss. From free regional museums displaying amazing Maori artefacts to mind-blowing private collections, there are museums in New Zealand to suit all tastes and interests.
For more attractions in New Zealand, be sure to check out the 101 Things to Do in New Zealand: The Ultimate List.
Table of Contents
1. Te Papa Tongarewa – The Museum of New Zealand
Easily the most iconic museum in New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, which locals simply call the “Te Papa Museum“, is a place where you can get lost for hours. The museum has a huge collection of artefacts and interactive displays across the categories of art, history, taonga Maori, Pacific cultures and natural history.
Don’t miss the exhibitions outside too! While there is an entry fee for international visitors, the museum is free for locals.
Plus, check out 10 Reasons Why The Te Papa Museum is Simply Unmissable for more details about the exhibitions.
Location: 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington, North Island.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Otago Museum
Dive into the stories of nature, culture and science with a focus on the Otago region, as well as surprising international finds, at the Otago Museum.
Although the main museum exhibitions and galleries are free, there are paid experiences, such as the Tuhura Science Centre with a tropical butterfly garden and the Planetarium. Guided tours of the museum are also available.
Location: 419 Great King Street, Dunedin, Otago, South Island.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
There’s never been a collection of warplanes presented in such an exciting way than at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
See Sir Peter Jackson’s collection of World War I and World War II planes and memorabilia presented in realistic static displays created by Weta Workshop i.e. the same people making movies!
Location: 79 Aerodrome Road, Omaka, Blenheim, Marlborough, South Island.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Auckland War Memorial Museum
The Auckland War Memorial Museum, or more commonly known as the Auckland Museum, is not only striking with its grand heritage architecture but the exhibitions are pretty darn cool too. The Auckland Museum holds an impressive collection of Maori art and relics while telling the story of Auckland’s flora, fauna and people.
Visit the top floor to see the museum’s dedication to the New Zealand military. Note that there is a fee for visitors. Auckland residents get in free with proof of address.
See more museums like this in the 10 Best Art Galleries & Museums in Auckland.
Location: Auckland Domain, Parnell, Auckland, North Island.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
Dunedin takes it again with another museum in our list of the best museums in New Zealand! The Toitu Otago Settlers Museum is a free museum to enjoy learning about the complex history of the early Maori to the European settlers arriving in Otago.
The museum encourages interactivity with old Maori huts and migrant ships to go inside, Victorian-era dress-up and Penny-farthings to ride.
Location: 31 Queens Gardens, Dunedin, Otago, South Island.
© DunedinNZ6. Bill Richardson Transport World
A private collection and a must-visit in Invercargill, Bill Richardson Transport World is the largest collection of vintage vehicles in the Southern Hemisphere.
Whether you’re a petrolhead or otherwise, it’s hard not to be impressed by the colourful displays of beautifully restored vehicles, the World of Wearable Art (WOW) exhibition and the fun-themed bathrooms!
Location: 491 Tay Street, Hawthorndale, Invercargill, Southland, South Island.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Canterbury Museum
While the beloved Canterbury Museum is closed for a major redevelopment, you can still experience the heart of its collection at the Canterbury Museum Pop-Up on Gloucester Street. Housed in the historic CoCA building, this thoughtfully curated space showcases a dynamic mix of permanent favourites and rotating exhibitions.
On display are taonga (treasures) spanning the museum’s vast collection, from taxidermied animals and Antarctic artefacts to items once found in the Mountfort and Early Settlers galleries. Visitors can also admire beautiful taonga Māori and Pasifika, and revisit two local icons: the horse from The Christchurch Street and Ivan Mauger’s gold bike.
About half the space is dedicated to enduring collection highlights, while the other half hosts temporary exhibitions that evolve throughout the year. It’s a must-visit for heritage lovers curious to see how the museum continues to engage and inspire during its transition.
Location: 66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Waitangi Treaty Grounds
The grounds where the local Maori and British made a treaty to become a nation is an iconic and controversial part of New Zealand’s history. That’s why the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a good starting point for learning about New Zealand’s history.
Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, the treaty grounds’ museum, tells the story of the two cultures’ relation to New Zealand with interactive multimedia exhibitions and a video reenactment of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
There’s more to discover at the grounds, which you can find out more about in the5 Reasons to Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Location: Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi, Bay of Islands, Northland, North Island.
© David Kirkland - Northland Inc9. Tawhiti Museum
An acclaimed private museum that is off the beaten track in Hāwera, the Tawhiti Museum showcases the tumultuous Taranaki history through artist-made scale models and life-size displays. The artist and mastermind of the museum, Nigel Ogle’s, skills and sense of humour can be seen throughout the static scenes of the Tawhiti Museum.
In a separate part of the museum complex, Traders and Whalers takes you on a Disney-land style boat ride through more lively depictions!
See more museums nearby in the 10 Best Galleries & Museums in Taranaki.
Location: 401 Ohangai Road, Hāwera, Taranaki, North Island.
© Andrew and Annemarie on Flickr10. New Zealand Maritime Museum
Finally, back in Auckland on the Viaduct Harbour, the New Zealand Maritime Museum is well worth discovering. Experience New Zealand’s connection to the ocean with boat and replica displays of the Pacific cultures to the America’s Cup that proudly takes place in the Auckland Harbour each year.
Auckland residents get in free to this museum, while visitors need to pay admission. For an additional fee, enjoy a sailing trip in a heritage vessel on the Auckland Harbour.
Location: Corner of Quay and Hobson Street, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, North Island.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About Museums in New Zealand
That’s it for our list of the top New Zealand museums, but that’s just a taste of the amazing museums New Zealand has to offer. Get more inspiration for museums to visit in the following guides:
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
