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

Museum treasures draw visitors from far and wide

Impressive displays include collections of international significance.
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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.

    Plan your visit

    Education

    Current Exhibitions

    Support the Museum

    Future Events

    NZ Opera School Artists Recital

    Be a part of Whanganui Opera Week, right here in the museum!
    Wed, 8 Jan, 2025
    Learn More
    Wed, 8 Jan, 2025
    1:00 pm
    – 2:00 pm
    Price
    : $26.10
    Whanganui Regional Museum

    La Fiesta Music Concert: In Return

    Experience an uplifting evening of original instrumentals, songs, and music set to poetry!
    Sun, 2 Mar, 2025
    Learn More
    Sun, 2 Mar, 2025
    5:00 pm
    – 6:30 pm
    Price
    : $30.00
    Whanganui Regional Museum
    All Events

    Current Exhibitions

    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

    He Awa Ora – Living River

    A unique exhibition of ancient and new taonga (treasures) that tell the story of Te Awa Tupua, the Whanganui River and its people. The Awa and iwi feature in a narrative supported by taonga Maori, encompassing the past, the present and the future.
    Learn More

    Fortune

    The creation of Auckland-based artist, Bev Moon, this exhibition is a sumptuous assortment of dim sum dishes, wontons, dumplings, pork buns, spring rolls, and more, all carefully crafted in wool.
    Learn More

    Cast in Light: Life in a Mining Town

    This stunning photographic exhibition showcases the once-thriving mining community of Waiuta through the evocative images of renowned photographer Joseph Divis.
    Learn More

      Other Exhibitions

      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.
      Learn More

      Ko te Kākahu o te Marama – Outfit of the Month

      Every month, as part of the ongoing Outfit of the Month series, the Museum exhibits a special item from its extensive fashion and textile collection. 
      Learn More

      Tangihia Te Pere – Opening the Door

      The Friends School, Native Schools along the Whanganui River and Whanganui Girls College all feature.
      Learn More
      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

      Durie Hill Map
      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
      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
      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
        Durie Hill Map
        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