Last updated May 2026
The Auckland War Memorial Museum — known in te reo Māori as Tāmaki Paenga Hira — stands at the top of the Auckland Domain, one of the city’s most prominent heritage buildings. The museum holds New Zealand’s most significant collections of Māori and Pacific taonga (treasures), alongside major natural history, social history, military history, and decorative arts collections. It is both a memorial to New Zealanders who died in war and one of the most important museums in the Pacific. For overseas visitors, entry is $27 per adult; for New Zealanders, the museum operates a koha (donation) model — entry is free.
Practical Information
| Location | The Auckland Domain, Parnell — address: Auckland Museum, Great North Rd, Auckland |
| Hours | Daily 10am–5pm (last entry 4:30pm) |
| Entry (international visitors) | Adults $27 | Children (5–15) $13.50 | Under 5 free | Family pass $72 |
| Entry (NZ residents) | Free (koha/donation model) |
| Entry (Auckland ratepayers) | Free with Auckland ratepayer card |
| Getting there | Bus routes 75 and 70 stop near the Domain; parking in the Domain (fees apply) |
| Website | aucklandmuseum.com |
About the Museum
The Auckland War Memorial Museum was established in 1852, making it one of the oldest museums in New Zealand. The current building, completed in 1929 and extended in 1960 and 2006, was designed as a memorial to the New Zealanders who died in the First World War — the Greek Revival architecture and cenotaph-style facade reflect that commemorative purpose. The 2006 atrium extension added contemporary gallery and event space while preserving the character of the original building.
The museum’s collections span te ao Māori, Pacific Island cultures, New Zealand natural history, social history from European settlement to the present, and military history covering New Zealand’s involvement in wars from the 19th century onwards. The collections include over 4 million objects and documents, with a significant proportion accessible through the museum’s online database.
Key Collections
The Māori collection is the museum’s most internationally significant holding — it includes a full-size wharenui (meeting house), Te Hau ki Tūranga, which is the oldest surviving wharenui in New Zealand, along with waka taua (war canoes), wātaka (storehouses), and extensive taonga from across the country. The Pacific collection is one of the most comprehensive in the world, representing cultures from across Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia.
The natural history galleries cover New Zealand’s geological history, native flora and fauna, and include a significant collection of moa bones and dinosaur fossils. The museum’s Discovery Centre is designed for children and families.
Note: The Te Marae Ātea Māori Court and Pacific Galleries were closed from April 2025 for essential maintenance work. Check the museum website for current gallery availability before visiting.
What visitors say
“The waka taua in the Māori gallery stopped me in my tracks. I didn’t expect the scale of it — seeing it in a museum space is extraordinary. The collection overall is world class.” — visitor account, TripAdvisor
“Worth it for the building and the setting alone, but the collections are genuinely outstanding. Allow at least three hours — there is far more here than most people expect.” — visitor account, Lonely Planet
Where to learn more
Auckland War Memorial Museum — Plan Your Visit: Current hours, admission prices, gallery availability, and accessibility information.
Auckland Museum — Hours and Admission: Current fee structure for international visitors and NZ residents.
Auckland Museum Collections Online: Over 1 million records from the museum’s collections available for research.
FAQ
Is the Auckland Museum free?
New Zealand residents and Auckland ratepayers can enter for free (koha/donation). International visitors pay $27 for adults, $13.50 for children aged 5–15. Under 5s are free. A family pass is $72.
What are the Auckland Museum’s opening hours?
The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4:30pm. It is open on public holidays.
How long does a visit to the Auckland Museum take?
Allow at least 2–3 hours for a visit covering the key galleries. A full visit exploring all floors and collections will take a full day.
How do I get to the Auckland Museum?
The museum is in the Auckland Domain, Parnell. Bus routes 75 and 70 stop nearby. Parking is available in the Domain (fees apply). It is also within walking distance of Parnell and the CBD.
What is currently closed at the Auckland Museum?
The Te Marae Ātea Māori Court and Pacific Galleries were temporarily closed from April 2025 for essential maintenance. Check the museum website before visiting for current gallery status.
What is the oldest surviving wharenui in New Zealand?
Te Hau ki Tūranga, housed in the Auckland Museum’s Māori galleries, is generally considered the oldest surviving meeting house in New Zealand and is one of the museum’s most significant taonga.
The Auckland War Memorial Museum is one of the essential Auckland experiences for any visitor to the city. For more things to see and do across the region, see the Auckland Parks and Reserves guide. The Domain itself — surrounding the museum — offers one of Auckland’s finest urban green spaces, with formal gardens and open lawns.
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