The Whanganui Regional Museum, founded in 1892, has extensive collections of natural and human history with a regional emphasis. It houses objects of national and international significance. There are also significant collections from elsewhere, such as Pasifika tapa and ceramics from Asia and Cyprus.
The Museum programme includes long-term and short-term exhibitions, a changing calendar of programmes and events, lectures, fieldtrips, demonstrations and workshops as well as comprehensive education experiences, research services led by experts, identification of objects and specimens and heritage advisory services.
Exhibition highlights are: Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi - The Māori Court which features the waka taua (war canoe) Te Mata o Hoturoa and an internationally renowned collection of taonga Māori. Te Pataka Whakaahua - The Lindauer Gallery has portraits of prominent Māori rangatira (leaders) by renowned artist Gottfried Lindauer. The Street - Wanganui 1900-1920 is a recreation of shops and businesses from this prosperous time. In Land - mana whenua, mana tangata we see Whanganui, its land, its community and the town during the 19th century, through experiences of both tangata whenua and European settlers, with particular reference to land, spirituality, conflict and alliance.
A team of dedicated professional staff and community volunteers contribute their vision and energy caring for and sharing the stories of the Museum's collections.
The Museum Shop stocks a wide range of jewellery, souvenirs, books and DVDs.
Collection TypeHistory, Natural History, Pacific, Taonga Maori, Technology
Contact DetailsVisitor Information FacilitiesVisitor Information Services/Lecture hall /Museum brochures /Tourist brochures
What's on
Glass of Fashion Act IIShakespeare at the Museum.
Glass of Fashion will have a complete turn-around of costumes from mid-March. With more of the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand best student-designed costumes and a new interpretation ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 23-May-2013, 24-May-2013, 25-May-2013, 26-May-2013, 27-May-2013, 28-May-2013
View more sessions Ngā Maunga TūteiA small exhibition of historical black and white photographs of Mounts Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe and Tongariro reminds us of the craftsmanship and the intrepid nature of some of the early Whanganui photographers, such as Frank ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 23-May-2013, 24-May-2013, 25-May-2013, 26-May-2013, 27-May-2013, 28-May-2013
View more sessions Te Toi Ahurea ō Ngā RauruOur Museum is proud to support Ngā Rauru and their Te Toi Ahurea event, celebrating Ngā Raurutanga, its successes and its people. We guide you around Ngā Rauru taonga in our contribution to this wonderful kaupapa. Mā ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 23-May-2013, 24-May-2013, 25-May-2013, 26-May-2013, 27-May-2013, 28-May-2013
View more sessions Minkisi - Art and Belief in West and Central AfricaMinkisi features dramatic African statues and masks in a moving, living exhibition. Collector Des Bovey, with a great knowledge of and passion for African cultures, provides us with an opportunity to see representations ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 23-May-2013, 24-May-2013, 25-May-2013, 26-May-2013, 27-May-2013, 28-May-2013
View more sessions Samoan Arts & Crafts for YoungstersSamoan Language week is celebrated at the end of May and the Museum is honoured to host two events: Art and Crafts for Youngsters and Samoan Independence Day Celebrations.
Talofa lava! Talofa lava!!
E faataiofa atu I ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 28-May-2013
Taonga Pūoro - Traditional Māori InstrumentsThe Museum is honoured to host world renowned Taonga Pūoro musician, Jerome Kavanagh (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Hauiti, Mōkai Pātea and Ngāti Maniapoto). Music doesn't belong in a glass case, which is why Jerome ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 30-May-2013
Taonga Pūoro FusionJerome Kavanagh and friends demonstrate the versatility and power of Taonga Pūoro in a Hip Hop fusion experience at the Museum. Don’t miss hearing a musical sound that is uniquely Aotearoa New Zealand.
While ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 31-May-2013
Samoan Independence DaySamoan Language week is celebrated at the end of May and the Museum is honoured to host two events: Art and Crafts for Youngsters and Samoan Independence Day Celebrations.
Talofa lava! Talofa lava!!
E faataiofa atu I ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 01-Jun-2013
Cosmodome at the MuseumCosmodome at the Museum
World Oceans Day and Puanga 2013
Saturday 8 June at 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm
Cost: adults $6.00, children $4.00
Are we still alone? Latest findings suggest there could be life on Jupiter’s ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 08-Jun-2013
World Oceans DayWorld Oceans Day 8 June 2013.
Living Oceans Exhibition.
Saturday 8 June 2013 to Sunday 2 March 2014.
Our new exhibition Living Oceans opens on Saturday 8 June to coincide with World Oceans Day. Visit the ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 07-Jun-2013
The Globe Theatre on ScreenHenry V, Shakespeare’s masterpiece of the turbulence of war and the arts of peace, is directed by the Globe’s Artistic Director Dominic Dromgoole. A perennial favourite at the Globe, the play is a profound and ...
Region:Wanganui
Dates: 28-Jun-2013, 29-Jun-2013
