Museums

If you want to understand what makes this country tick, visit its museums. In New Zealand, museums provide an educational insight into Kiwi culture, history and contemporary themes. Finding out the why, where, how and who in any town or city adds an extra layer to your travel experience, and each of New Zealand’s major museums has its own specialities. The Auckland Museum is known for its impressive collection of Maori and Polynesian artefacts; Te Papa in Wellington offers a modern, and often interactive learning experience; Canterbury Museum has a strong focus on Antarctica; and Otago Museum in Dunedin takes an in-depth look at the natural and social history of the South Island. The provincial cities also have plenty to offer—check out Puke Ariki in New Plymouth and the wearable art museum in Nelson. Small museums also deserve a visit—covering a wonderfully diverse range of subject matter ranging from coal and gold mining, cable cars, caves, toys and volcanic eruptions, to army equipment, boats, trains and planes.