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Art & Heritage

Auckland War Memorial Museum

North Island, New Zealand

Auckland War Memorial Museum known as Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

A landmark location above the AUCKLAND DOMAIN GARDENS is the neo-classical Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Auckland War Memorial Museum highlights

  • Significant research library for materials relating to Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific
  • Superb family and friends programme engaging audiences in revolving exhibits and on loan exhibitions.
  • Within the precinct of the Auckland Domain Gardens and the picturesque Auckland Historic Cricket Pavilion

Set in one of the country’s finest heritage buildings, the museum has a wonderful display of over 2000 priceless Maori and Pacific treasures and artefacts, detailing the culture and history of Aotearoa New Zealand. There is also a war memorial for the Auckland province, mainly to those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The gift shop specialises in ‘Made in New Zealand’ artisan goods and homeware.

@AucklandMuseum
@AucklandMuseum

Decorative arts and pictorial collections add to the richness of the collections which have, in part been overshadowed by the glamorous the TE PAPA, Aotearoa New Zealand’s National Museum located in the capital, Wellington.

Opening hours

Daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm (except Christmas Day) with an admission fee for overseas visitors.

Getting to Auckland War Memorial Museum

The Museum is a 10 minute walk from Newmarket, a 10 minute walk from Parnell, and a 35 minute walk from Auckland’s city centre. Several routes that connect the Museum to the city centre via Auckland Domain are steep and require a reasonable level of fitness.

A bike rack is available on the South West side of the Museum building. You will need to bring your own lock. At this time we do not have a charging facility for e-bikes and e-scooters.

@AucklandMuseum
@AucklandMuseum
@AucklandMuseum
@AucklandMuseum

The Link bus service

It’s easy and simple to get around the city centre and city fringe suburbs on the Link, with four bus routes operating on a regular timetable. You can access the Museum via both the InnerLink (green buses) and the OuterLink (orange buses), which both stop on Parnell Road. It is a short walk to the Museum.

By train

The Museum is a 15-minute walk from Grafton Station (Western line) and a 15 minute walk from Newmarket Station (Western and Southern lines). See the Auckland Transport website for more information.

Public car parking

There is limited public car parks in the Auckland Domain. Secure undercover paid parking is available at the Museum from 6.30am to 6.30pm, except when an evening event is taking place for which the carpark has been opened longer. Enter the Museum car park from Maunsell Road.

There are three ways to pay for parking when you visit:

  • Tap your Paywave card on exit
  • Pay at the machine
  • Use the Inugo app*

*Please note a 50c convenience fee applies to all Inugo transactions.

The car park pay station accepts VISA, MasterCard, EFTPOS and cash up to $20 notes. Our car park is under CCTV and security surveillance.

@AucklandMuseum
@AucklandMuseum
@AucklandMuseum
@AucklandMuseum

There is some free parking, subject to availability, in the Auckland Domain. Please note that during busy periods such as school holidays, public holidays and weekends it may be difficult to find a carpark at the Museum or in the Domain.

Electric vehicle charging station now available at Auckland Museum.

Auckland Museum is pleased to offer visitors an electric vehicle (EV) charging station courtesy of Vector. The charger is located at the southern end of the Museum with two reserved carparks for use of the station.

This service is free of charge and is part of the Museum’s commitment to sustainability. When using these chargers, we suggest you check in either with Vector’s EV Charging app or a public app such as PlugShare.

FAQs about EV charging can be found on Vector’s website.

Source: for up to date details check out the above Auckland Museum, getting there.

Greek Revival style with its pillars and sense of stern dignity belies the contemporary take on Aotearoa New Zealand’s past, present and future inside the grand revolving entrance. The Grand Atrium is a bowl shaped welcome where Maori cultural activities take place, visitors are welcomed with the cafe and gift shop nearby.

@AucklandMuseum
@AucklandMuseum
Auckland domain and War Memorial museum with residential suburb on the background. Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland domain and War Memorial museum with residential suburb

Auckland War Memorial Museum Building origins

The building is a homage to the significant loss of life incurred during World War I. The stone cenotaph in front of the building continues to be a place of sorrow and witness to the annual ANZAC memorials to the military. The building was opened (1929) by the Queen’s representative, Governor-General Sir Charles Fergusson. The speech was one festooned with classical references and the importance of acknowledging the contribution of fallen soldiers. The military parades are held in the Court of Honour and cenotaph. The cenotaph in front of the Auckland War Memorial Museum has a Category 1 listing from Heritage New Zealand. The cenotaph is inscribed with the words ‘THE GLORIOUS DEAD’ and the dates MCMXIV [1914] and MCMXVIII [1918]. The names of the fallen are listed inside the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

INTERESTING FACT NOTE

NOTE

ANZAC refers to Australian and New Zealand Armed CorpAnzac Day is observed on 25 April. It commemorates New Zealanders killed in war and honours returned and serving servicemen and women. The original ANZAC corp werel volunteers, there was no conscription.

@AucklandMuseum
@AucklandMuseum

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