Last updated July 2026
Te Toi Uku — Crown Lynn and Clayworks Museum — is a community museum in New Lynn dedicated to the history of West Auckland’s clay industries, with the Crown Lynn Potteries story at its centre. The name translates as “the art of clay” in te reo Māori. Located at 8 Ambrico Place, a five-minute walk from New Lynn Train Station, the museum is free to enter and is open Wednesday to Saturday. It holds the most extensive collection of Crown Lynn ceramics in Aotearoa, alongside machinery, tools, documents and photographs spanning four decades of production at one of New Zealand’s most recognisable potteries.
Practical Information
| Location | 8 Ambrico Place, New Lynn, Auckland 0640 |
| Hours | Wednesday–Friday 10am–4pm; Saturday 10am–3pm |
| Admission | Free — donations welcome via cash or EFTPOS |
| Guided tours | $8 per person — includes Crown Lynn history, clay industry context, and the 1926 kiln (max 25 people) |
| Getting there | 5-minute walk from New Lynn Train Station; on-street parking available |
| Operated by | Portage Ceramics Trust (est. 2005), with support from Whau Local Board |
| Website | tetoiuku.org.nz |
About Te Toi Uku
The museum opened in 2015, operated by the Portage Ceramics Trust, which was established in 2005 specifically to purchase a large private collection of ceramics and pottery-making equipment relating to Crown Lynn Potteries Limited. The Trust’s founding purpose was preservation — ensuring these objects and the knowledge around them did not disappear as the industry declined and its remaining buildings were cleared.
Inside the museum, displays cover two main threads: the development of Crown Lynn Potteries from its origins through its 40-year production history, and the broader brick and pipe-making heritage of Tāmaki Makaurau. The Crown Lynn section includes examples of most ceramic types the company produced, alongside the tools, moulds and machinery used to make them, and an archive of photographs, documents and product designs. For many New Zealanders of a certain generation, recognising the distinctive Crown Lynn shapes — particularly the swanlike forms and the blue-banded crockery that appeared in New Zealand kitchens for decades — carries a personal resonance.
The museum is sited on the original Gardner and Parker Brothers brickworks site, which means the grounds themselves are historically layered. The combination of the free museum, the 1926 kiln, and the option of a guided tour makes Te Toi Uku one of the more unusual and quietly rewarding cultural stops in West Auckland.
The Last Brick Kiln in Auckland
Next door to the museum stands the Gardner and Parker Brothers downdraught kiln, built in 1926. This is the last remaining structure relating to the West Auckland brick industry, which once operated extensively across the New Lynn and Henderson area, taking advantage of the region’s significant clay deposits. The kiln is a scheduled historic place, and visiting it alongside the museum gives physical weight to what the displays describe — you can stand inside the structure and understand the scale of production that once defined this part of Auckland.
The kiln was last fired in 1957. It forms part of guided tours and is accessible during museum opening hours. The site also hosts occasional exhibitions and events focused on contemporary and historic ceramics.
What Visitors Often Say
Visitors frequently describe Te Toi Uku as a hidden gem appreciated most by those with family connections to Crown Lynn. Many note surprise at the scale of production and the personal stories behind everyday household items, and praise the knowledgeable staff who share additional details beyond the labels.
Reviewers highlight the free entry and convenient location near the train station as making it an easy addition to a West Auckland visit. The combination of museum displays and the historic kiln is often called a unique and rewarding experience for anyone interested in New Zealand manufacturing and domestic history.
Where to Learn More
Te Toi Uku official website: current opening hours, tour bookings, events and visitor information.
Te Papa — Crown Lynn and Te Toi Uku: background on Crown Lynn’s significance in New Zealand cultural history.
Portage Ceramics Trust: information on the trust that operates the museum and manages the collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Te Toi Uku free to enter?
Yes — entry to the museum is free. Donations are welcome via cash or EFTPOS. Guided tours are $8 per person and include a one-hour walk through the collection, West Auckland clay history, and the 1926 Gardner and Parker Brothers kiln.
Where is Te Toi Uku located?
8 Ambrico Place, New Lynn, Auckland 0640 — a five-minute walk from New Lynn Train Station.
What are Te Toi Uku’s opening hours?
Wednesday to Friday 10am–4pm; Saturday 10am–3pm. The museum is closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
What is Crown Lynn?
Crown Lynn Potteries was a New Zealand ceramics manufacturer that produced iconic everyday crockery, ceramics and pottery for approximately four decades. Its products — particularly its blue-banded mugs and cups — were found in the vast majority of New Zealand homes and have become cultural touchstones.
What is the brick kiln next to the museum?
The Gardner and Parker Brothers downdraught kiln, built in 1926, is the last remaining brick kiln in Auckland. It is a scheduled historic place and is part of a guided tour visit. The museum sits on the original brickworks site. The kiln was last fired in 1957.
How do I get to Te Toi Uku by public transport?
New Lynn Train Station is a five-minute walk from the museum, making it easily accessible by train from the Auckland city centre on the Western Line.
Are guided tours available?
Yes, tours are available on request for $8 per person. They last about one hour and cover the museum collection, clay industry history and the kiln. Maximum group size is 25; larger groups can be accommodated with advance notice.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
The museum can be accessed via both steps and a ramp. Visitors requiring special assistance are encouraged to contact the museum in advance.
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