Name: Auckland
Rating: 4.5

New Zealand Maritime Museum, Auckland Overview

New Zealand has a rich history of maritime navigation, spanning from the Maori voyages of marine exploration to the European naval conquests of the region. The New Zealand Maritime Museum houses the most extensive collection of naval artefacts in New Zealand. It is a celebration of this rich maritime tradition. Situated across from the Viaduct Harbour, the New Zealand Maritime Museum is located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD.

Inaugurated in 1993, the New Zealand Maritime Museum conducts various activities during the week to reaffirm the people's connection to the ocean. The Maori name was given to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, Hui Te Ananui A Tangora loosely translates to 'the abode of the sea god Tangaroa' and reflects the indigenous community's critical role played in the development of New Zealand's maritime heritage.

Tickets and Prices

Auckland residents get admission to the museum free of cost, provided proof of residence is presented when requested. Museum entry + Heritage Sailing requires the purchase of a ticket.

Auckland resident Adult Museum Entry + Heritage Sailing - NZD 25
Auckland resident Child Museum Entry + Heritage Sailing - NZD 20
Auckland resident Senior/Student Museum Entry + Heritage Sailing - NZD 12
Auckland resident Family Museum Entry + Heritage Sailing - NZD 50

Non-Auckland residents:

Museum entry

Adult - NZD 20
Senior/Student - NZD 17
Children - NZD 10
Family Pass - NZD 40

Museum entry + Heritage Sailing

Adult - NZD 50
Senior/Student - NZD 40
Children - NZD 25
Family - NZD 95

Timings

The New Zealand Maritime Museum is open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on Christmas Day. Last entry to the museum is at 4:00 PM.

Things to Do

Heritage Sailing

Visitors can embark on sailing voyages that the New Zealand Maritime Museum conducts twice daily. Heritage boats that the museum restored to their former glories now take passengers out into the harbour while tour guides inform them about the Maori and Polynesian naval practices and lifestyles.

Museum Collection

Over 130 watercraft, as diverse as surfboards used for navigation to fully functional 20 m heritage boats that are taken out to the harbour on sailing trips, reside in the Maritime Museum. The Museum collection also includes items related to the diverse naval and maritime history of the nation. It contains artefacts that chronicle topics as far-ranging European voyages of exploration, modern commercial shipping, and maritime trade.

Galleries

The Maritime Museum categorises the artefacts of maritime history into different galleries. The Landfalls Gallery contains the articles of maritime exploration that relate to the initial journeys of exploration that determined New Zealand’s early history. The New Beginnings Gallery consists of tales of early immigrants and their naval experiences and chronicles the early history of New Zealand’s ferries. The Blue Water Black Magic Gallery stands testament to New Zealand’s proficiency as a yachting force and celebrates Sir Peter Blake’s successes. The Edmiston Gallery contains artwork depicting life at sea and is an expression of the country’s naval heritage, and the Kiwis and the Coast Gallery exists to showcase New Zealand’s unbreakable bond with the ocean and the indomitable spirit of the Kiwis.

Guided Tours

For those that want to have an informed and in-depth understanding of the New Zealand Maritime Museum, guided tours conducted by the experienced volunteers will fill you with maritime trivia. They are held twice, at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM on Tuesdays through Fridays, and once at 10:30 AM on Sundays.

Gift Shop

No visit to a museum would be complete without a customary visit to the local gift shop. Pick up some maritime-themed souvenirs to take back for friends and family from the museum gift shop.

How To Reach New Zealand Maritime Museum

Located on Corner Quay and Hobson Streets, the Maritime Museum is less than 2 km away from downtown Auckland, and the walk would take less than 10 minutes. The closest bus station is Quay St/Lower Albert St.