Waikato Museum

Located in an iconic building on the banks of the Waikato River, in the heart of Hamilton’s south-end cultural precinct, Waikato Museum’s varied galleries feature dozens of new exhibitions and public events annually. This dynamic schedule engages visitors with stories of the region, nation and the world, with a special focus on art, social history, tangata whenua and science.

The exhibitions are complemented by floor talks from artists and science specialists, Māori arts and crafts workshops, concerts and lectures.

One of the museum’s major highlights is the 200-year-old waka taua (war canoe) Te Winika, which was gifted to the museum by the late Māori queen. Waikato Museum is the host of the National Contemporary Art Award, an annual exhibition that provides a window into New Zealand’s art scene.

With all this and more, Waikato Museum is the perfect place to visit and interact with the stories of our place in the world.