Whanganui Regional Museum

Nau mai ki Te Puni Tiaki Taonga o Whanganui - Welcome to the Whanganui Regional Museum

Whanganui Regional Museum

Find something unique for somebody special

The museum gift shop is a treasure trove of unusual books, delightful gifts and quality souvenirs. Take home a memento of your visit or find a gift for that person who has everything.
Latest news from Whanganui Regional Museum

Museum treasures draw visitors from far and wide

Impressive displays include collections of international significance.
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Latest news from Whanganui Regional Museum

Major exterior refresh planned for Whanganui Regional Museum

The museum will remain open and fully operational throughout the repainting project.
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    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.

    Two young adults view the waka in Whanganui Regional Museum

    Plan your visit

    Lisa Reweti talks to school students at the museum

    Education

    Three teenage girls enjoy the Whanganui Mūmū exhibition

    Current Exhibitions

    A young family enjoy the activiies table at the Whanganui Regional Museum

    Support the Museum

    Future Events

    Outfit of the Month Fashion Talk

    Step back into the glamour of the Jazz Age and uncover the moving story behind a cherished family heirloom.
    Fri, 6 Jun, 2025
    Learn More
    Fri, 6 Jun, 2025
    12:15 pm
    – 1:00 pm
    Koha
    Whanganui Regional Museum
    All Events

    Current Exhibitions

    Featured image for the Whanganui Mūmū – Whanganui By Design exhibition

    Whanganui Mūmū – Whanganui By Design

    Highlighting the creativity, innovative spirit, cultural integrity, and strength of the tradition of art and design in the Whanganui region.
    Learn More
    Featured image for the Pūeru Ora – Past, Present, Pose exhibition

    Pūeru Ora – Past, Present, Pose

    Explore the ever-changing world of fashion across three distinct eras, illustrating how style has evolved through time in Whanganui and beyond.
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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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      Featured image for the Ngā Ika – Fish in the River exhibition

      Te Ora te Whenua – Living off the Land

      The fertile, productive Whanganui lands have fed and clothed people for centuries. See how men and women worked the earth to provide for their families.
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      Featured image for the Te Ora te Whenua – Living off the Land exhibition

      He Tau Hou, He Tauhou – Settling In

      As waves of new migrants from Europe arrived to settle in Whanganui, already populated with a sophisticated and diligent Maori society, misunderstanding, misinterpretation and confrontation were inevitable. 
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      Featured image for the He Tau Hou, He Tauhou – Settling In exhibition
      All Exhibitions

      Collection Highlights

      Portable Desk
      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.
      View Collection

      Collection Highlights

      Featured image for POSTER; Durie Hill Garden Suburb, 1920s.
      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.
      View Collection
      Featured image for PORTABLE DESK
      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.
      View Collection
      Featured image for PHOTOGRAPH; Taupo Quay in flood.
      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.
      View Collection
        Taupo Quay in flood.
        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.
        View Collection