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. The emphasis of the collection is primarily Whanganui. There are also significant collections from elsewhere, for example, a large Pacific Island collection and ceramics from Asia and Cyprus.

The Museum programme includes long-term and changing exhibitions, lectures, fieldtrips, demonstrations and workshops as well as comprehensive education experiences, research, identification and heritage advisory services.

Exhibition highlights are: 'Colour', an exhibition that looks at colour through a diverse array of artworks and objects drawn from the collections of the Sarjeant Gallery and the Whanganui Regional Museum; 'Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi - The Maori Court', featuring the war canoe Te Mata o Hoturoa and an internationally renowned collection of taonga Maori; 'Te Pataka Whakaahua - The Lindauer Gallery' with portraits of prominent Maori personalities from the 19th century by renowned artist Gottfried Lindauer; 'The Street - Wanganui 1900-1920' which re-creates shops and businesses from this prosperous time; 'Whanganui' showcases what is special about the region and 'Nga Manu - Birds of New Zealand' features many endangered and extinct New Zealand birds such as the kiwi, moa and huia.

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.