Deep in the heart of an ancient forest that’s gone, the Kauri Museum celebrates one of the world’s greatest trees and honours our relationship with it.
We share stories of courage and determination, tragedy and triumph, boundless hope and unfathomable loss; kauri making a nation.
Since 1962 the Kauri Museum has been gathering, displaying and sharing with visitors an internationally significant collection of:
- Humble tools made important in times of mud, grit, smoke and fire.
- Handcrafted objects of rare and exquisite beauty.
- Dazzling displays of precious kauri gum, the hardened resin of kauri trees.
Enjoy “The Great Indoors” to explore a treasure of “The Great Outdoors”. As the largest under-cover visitor attraction north of Auckland, the Kauri Museum has 4,500sqm of exhibition halls, galleries and rooms of treasures.
Rain or shine, a visit to the Kauri Museum adds fresh meaning to a timeless story that captures hearts and ignites imaginations about the past and present, encouraging hope for tomorrow.
If you seek wonder, awe and delight for several hours or a day (or more), this award winning attraction is a long-established and popular destination for travellers, scientists, researchers, families and children alike.
Walk through a Once-and-Future Forest, an enchanted space which has echoes of the forest that’s gone and is yet to come. The Forest Walkway is a journey from darkness to light where the kauri stars in the Māori creation legend Te Waonui o Tāne about the beginning of time. It’s the Kauri Museum’s latest addition.
Discover What’s New at The Kauri Museum
Temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year, featuring annual favorites such as Matariki, ANZAC Day, and the Heritage Christmas displays.
Plan to spend two to three hours exploring this captivating museum complex, which also includes the original Pioneer Church, School, and Post Office.
School Visits
The Kauri Museum is a dynamic destination for fun, learning, and discovery.
The museum offers endless opportunities for educational visits, providing sessions and inquiry-based research across social and natural sciences.
Additionally, The Kauri Museum features engaging hands-on activities, such as kauri gum polishing, for an enriching educational experience.
NEW Forest Walkway
We are thrilled to unveil a spectacular new attraction at The Kauri Museum – the Forest Walkway.
As the first and largest part of a multi-phase redevelopment, the new walkway features a forest of tall light box “trees” that visitors pass through upon entering the museum. Alive with a natural soundscape of birdsong and sounds from the native bush, the Walkway transports visitors back to the Jurassic era when kauri emerged in Gondwanaland. It introduces the Māori dimension of the story, particularly the tale of Tane Mahuta and the creation of the world of light.
Walking through the Forest Walkway, visitors are immersed in a captivating blend of height, sound, and light, evoking a sense of awe and highlighting the grandeur and ancientness of the kauri.
The Kauri Museum is open daily 9am – 5pm, closed on Christmas Day
