Tairāwhiti Museum

Located in a lush park setting along the river in Gisborne, Tairāwhiti Museum plays a significant role in showcasing the rich art, culture and heritage of the region. 

Open every day of the week, the museum hosts a varied events and exhibition programme throughout the year, with a special commitment to highlighting local history, arts and culture. Alongside the works on show, an extensive collection of archives, fine arts, taonga Māori, photography, fine arts and more can be accessed through the online database – sure to keep you captivated on a rainy day.

Downstairs, the Te Moana Maritime Gallery delves into a millennium’s worth of coastal tales, from the development of the town’s harbour and local shipwrecks to surfing and fishing culture. This maritime exhibition segues nicely into one of the most iconic and immersive museum experiences: The Star of Canada. Explore the two-storied wheelhouse and captain’s cabin of this cargo steamer that shipwrecked on local shores in 1912, was transformed into a house and finally became part of the museum. The seats by the ship’s windows offer a lovely light place to rest and reflect for a while. Don’t leave without following the path outside to Wyllie Cottage, the oldest European house still standing in the area which was carefully restored and refurbished in 2016.

With nine impressive gallery spaces as well as key historical sites, Tairāwhiti Museum offers a place for the community to come together to appreciate, learn about and get involved in the local creative scene.