Museum in New Zealand

A visit to a museum in New Zealand is the best way to step into the past and understand the city’s culture. From art and history to science and innovation, museums here offer something for every interest. MakeMyTrip lists 1761 must-visit museums in New Zealand for 2025, making it easy to plan your trip. Exhibits are well curated, with guided tours and interactive displays that keep both adults and children engaged. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient artefacts or modern installations, each museum tells a story worth exploring. With New Zealand museum prices starting from INR 355, spending a few hours inside is affordable yet highly rewarding. This December, discover a new side of New Zealand with MakeMyTrip’s handpicked museums.

Glimpses of Unique History, Cultures and Traditions: Top Museums in New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its stunning natural landscapes, glaciers, geothermal areas, hiking, extreme sports, and much more. Travellers from all around the world visit New Zealand to explore its pristine atmosphere, stunning attractions, unique wildlife, rich Maori culture, renowned film locations, and delightful local cuisine. The country also houses several museums to enrich your understanding of the nation's past, culture, and developments. They feature an extensive collection of artefacts, engaging exhibits, and interactive activities.

The insightful museums in New Zealand offer a glimpse into the unique history, culture, and natural wonders. The diverse range of museums in New Zealand takes visitors through the ancient Maori and Polynesian traditions. You can also get to know the geological and maritime history of the nation, and modern-day themes.

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum of New Zealand. This New Zealand museum covers natural history, Maori and Pacific cultures, and artworks through interactive and engaging exhibits. There are plenty of other museums which offer an insightful time to visitors.

Explore the Diverse Museums of New Zealand

Art Museums

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki

This museum comprises a notable collection of various national and international artworks with regular updates to its displays. The museum is a famous museum in New Zealand, renowned for its delightful gallery spaces and rotating exhibits that engage visitors and make them visit again. This historic art museum has the most extensive art collection in New Zealand, along with impressive works from Maori and Pacific Island cultures. The floor displays over 15000 artworks, including paintings, traditional carvings, 19th-century landscapes, and contemporary works from New Zealand and other nations.

• Address: The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is located on the corner of Kitchener and Wellesley streets in Auckland Central. This New Zealand museum is effortlessly accessible by taxi, public transport, and on foot. It is a short walk away from the major public transport hubs in Auckland. City Link bus service stops close to the gallery, and Outer Link bus service stops adjacent to the gallery. The art gallery is around a 15-minute walk away from the Ferry Building and Britomart Transport Centre.
• Hours of Operation: This New Zealand museum opens daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Christmas Day.

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu is a premier art museum comprising the largest artwork collection in the country. This New Zealand museum is best known for its local and international exhibition programs, free entry, notable art collection, and unique architecture. This museum offers a vast collection by popular artists, including Louise Henderson, Bridget Riley, and Rita Angus.

• Address: One of the best museums in New Zealand, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, is located at 312 Montreal Street in Christchurch central city. It is located at the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street. The museum is situated in the heart of Christchurch and is a short walk away from major attractions in the city. For instance, it is around a 10-minute walk away from Canterbury Museum and an easy stroll away from the Riverside Market, Christ Church Cathedral, and Botanic Gardens.
• Hours of Operation This New Zealand museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

History Museums

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Wellington)

The most visited and most famous museum in New Zealand, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, comprises an extensive collection of the country’s history and culture. The museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the heritage and stories of the rich history, culture, and natural environment of New Zealand. This New Zealand museum is renowned for its contemporary and interactive approach to displays.

• Address: The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum situated on the Wellington waterfront. It is located at 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington, and is easily accessible by taxis, buses, and other public transport options. Wellington Railway Station is a short bus ride from the museum.
• Hours of Operation: This New Zealand museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and closed on Christmas Day.

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland War Memorial Museum is one of the best museums in New Zealand. It is also known as the Auckland Museum, dedicated to the social history and military of New Zealand. It houses an extensive assortment of Maori and Pacific art and artefacts. The prominent New Zealand museum is housed in a glorious neoclassical building showcasing the country’s military and natural history, and Maori and Pacific culture.

• Address: Auckland War Memorial Museum is situated in a large park with stunning views in the Auckland Domain. The museum is located on a hill and easily reachable by public transportation options, including bus and car.
• Hours of Operation: This museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM with extended hours on Tuesdays.

Science & Technology Museums

Faraday Museum of Technology

The famous museum in New Zealand, the Faraday Museum of Technology, displays the rich past of technology through interactive demonstrations and exhibits, including a Tesla coil. The best part of this New Zealand museum is that visitors can touch, hold, and operate most of the historic gadgets and machinery displayed in the museum. The visitors find it impressive, as they can touch and explore the exhibits rather than just looking at them.

• Address: The Faraday Museum of Technology is situated in Napier and is easily reachable. The museum is located at 2B Faraday Street, Napier South. Board the bus route 15 to the Balmoral Shopping Centre, the nearest stop to the museum. From here, the museum is around a 500 m walk away.
• Hours of Operation: The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and closed on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology

The MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology features interactive exhibits related to transportation and technology in the country. The expansive New Zealand Museum was established in 1964 and is the largest in the country. It comprises a massive collection of technological innovations and the transportation history of New Zealand. The leading science and technology museum offers an educational and interactive experience to visitors.

• Address: The MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology is situated at 805, Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland. This New Zealand museum is effortlessly accessible as it is served by a free heritage tram service, an easy and fun way to travel between nearby attractions and museum sites. The tram stops at Western Springs Park.
• Hours of Operation: The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Christmas Day.

Cultural & Speciality Museums

Toitu Otago Settlers Museum (Dunedin)

The famous museum in New Zealand offers insights into the history of this region, ranging from early Maori inhabitants to settlers of gold rush times and beyond. The museum presents historic artefacts, interactive displays, and multimedia exhibits expressing the story of this region and its residents. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum offers an opportunity to discover the culture, character, art, technology, transport, and fashion of Dunedin and its surrounding regions. The museum comprises 14 themed galleries with immersive displays covering the earliest settlers and the evolution of the city.

• Address: This New Zealand museum is located at 31 Queens Gardens, central Dunedin, in the cultural heritage area of the city. It is situated between the historic railway station and the Chinese Garden. Buses stop at Albany Street, which is located adjacent to the Museum complex.
• Hours of Operation The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Christmas Day.

New Zealand Maritime Museum

The New Zealand Maritime Museum comprises the largest assortment of naval artefacts in the country. The famous museum in New Zealand is dedicated to the seafaring heritage of the country and tells the tale of the connection between New Zealand and the sea through its exhibits. The museum is also known as Hui Te Ananui A Tangaroa, and it holds various interactive displays, replica vessels, and a profound understanding of the maritime history of New Zealand.

Address: This New Zealand museum is situated at the corner of Quay and Hobson Street in Auckland. You can reach the New Zealand Maritime Museum by boarding a bus to the Britomart Transport hub in Auckland and then walking to the port. The museum is at the end of the pier on the left side.

Hours of Operation: The New Zealand Maritime Museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Christmas Day.

Children’s Museums

Stardome Observatory & Planetarium

One of the best museums in New Zealand, where kids can learn enjoyably. The Stardome Observatory & Planetarium comprises various interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and telescope watching. The museum presents immersive planetarium shows and live programs covering Maori astronomy, laser shows, music events, and public telescope watching in the unique night sky, and wonderful exhibits covering science and astronomy.

• Address The Stardome Observatory and Planetarium is located at 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, within One Tree Hill in Royal Oak. The museum is easily reachable by local transportation and on foot. The nearest bus stops are located on Manukau Road. Several buses by Auckland Transport services serve these stops near the planetarium.
• Hours of Operation: This New Zealand museum for kids is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and then 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM, and on Mondays, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Space Place at Carter Observatory (Wellington)

This unique New Zealand museum presents an extensive range of interactive science exhibits, a planetarium, and historical space-related displays. The Space Place at Carter Observatory is best known for its high-tech digital planetarium that displays wonderful multimedia shows covering the cosmos. It is a full-dome planetarium that offers immersive shows about the universe, usually along with a live guide explaining the southern night sky.

• Address: The Space Place at Carter Observatory is situated in the Wellington Botanic Garden in Kelburn. It is located on Salamanca Road and is easily accessible via cable car or a car that drops off at around a 2-minute walk away from the observatory. The observatory is located on a hill, around 20 minutes walk away from the city centre.
• Hours of Operation: The observatory is open Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.