The Whanganui Regional Museum is a bicultural waharoa (gateway) to local social and natural histories. It stands proudly in Pukenamu Queen’s Park, the cultural heart of Whanganui. The Museum has a special relationship with mana whenua, those Māori who have historic and territorial rights over this land. It is also warmly supported by the many communities who continue to help develop it.
Learn about the people, objects, and stories that make this vibrant region so important through our stunning collection, which includes outstanding Taonga Māori, the Gottfried Lindauer Gallery of paintings of Whanganui rangatira, a remarkable moa collection, and a noteworthy collection of historical fashion and textiles.
Fully acknowledging our past, explaining the present and preparing for the future starts here, at your museum.
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Other Exhibitions
Ngā Ika – Fish in the River
Fish sustained people and kept the mighty awa clean for hundreds of years. The Whanganui River was famous for its pā tuna (eel weirs) and utu piharau (lamprey weirs).
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Te Pātaka Whakaahua – The Lindauer Gallery
Paintings of Maori tupuna (ancestors) by Gottfried Lindauer.
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Ngā Manu ō Whanganui – Birds of Whanganui
The birds of Whanganui once thronged the forest, riverbanks and shoreline. Some are gone forever while others struggle to survive.
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All Exhibitions
Collection Highlights
1802.605.9
POSTER; Durie Hill Garden Suburb, 1920s.
This land sale poster by A D Willis shows the area at the brow of Durie Hill with sections for sale. The suburb had been specially designed by Samuel Hurst Seager, at the time when there was great enthusiasm for designing garden suburbs throughout New Zealand.
1962.178.4
PORTABLE DESK
This portable desk or writing box made circa 1900 has an outer surface decorated with porcupine quills and dots of ivory. It has a hinged lid and a fold-down front with the interior divided into sections for storing writing equipment and a writing surface.
2002.34.6
PHOTOGRAPH; Taupo Quay in flood.
This photograph was taken on Taupo Quay near the Old Tram Shed, after the flood of the Whanganui River in 1940. Four people can be seen rowing a boat down the flooded street. The Durie Hill Tower is visible in the background.