Wairoa Museum
Kopututanga Taonga o Te Wairoa
The museum is centrally located on Wairoa’s Marine Parade (142 Marine Parade). You cannot miss the red street canopy!
Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Saturday 10:00am – 1:00pm
History
Our museum reopened on the present site in December 2001. Prior to that the museum was located in an annex of the Wairoa Library. There has been a museum in Wairoa since 1975.
The Musum receives approximately 8000 visitors per year. In the summer season 55% of our visitors are either from out of the Wairoa District or from overseas. The Wairoa District Council funds the core operations of the museum.
In March 2006, the $500,000 Museum extension was officially opened. This area provides much needed activity space for visiting schools and community groups as well as a workshop, storage space and utility areas.
Exhibitions
We have two exhibition galleries. Our main gallery features the long-term display – Whakaatatanga o Te Wairoa – Reflections of the Long River. This installation traces the natural and cultural history of our area from the time of first colonisation, approximately 1000 years ago, to the present.
The Wairoa District teams with bird life. Wetland and seacoast birds of the area include pukeko, weka, rails and bitterns.
Recent Exhibitions
Wai~Roa
By local artist Martha Tonizzo - a selection of her works showcasing both her love of colour and portraiture.
Streetscapes
Drawing from our museum collection – a series/selection of photographs/panoramas of our local community.
Te Ariki
An exhibition on the life of Wairoa’s most prominent son, Sir James Carroll.
Wings over Wairoa
The Hawkes Bay Heritage Aviation Association Inc presented a history of aviation in Wairoa.
The George Nepia Exhibition (26 August – 1 December 2011)
This current exhibition focuses on the early years of Wairoa-born rugby-great George Nepia.Eyes to See
Education
The Museum has an ongoing educational programme for the region’s primary schools and pre schools attracting on average, 700 pupils per year.
The Education Room provides much needed activity space for visiting schools and community groups as well as a workshop, storage space and utility areas.
Museum Friend’s Organisation
We have an active museum Friends group. Activities undertaken by the Friends include – the compilation of registers of births, deaths and marriages’ staffing the museum’ the production of museum publications’ and the organisation of museum exhibitions.
For more information relating to the Wairoa Museum, you can contact Museum Curator/Manager Jim Samson at Wairoa Museum, on (06) 838 3108 or visit the Wairoa Museum along Marine Parade, Wairoa.
Contact Details:
PO Box 390, WAIROA 4160
142 Marine Parade, WAIROA 4108
Hawke's Bay
Email: wairoamuseum@xtra.co.nz
Phone: (06) 838-3108
