Top 13 Museum Visits in New Zealand

1.Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 293 reviews · 1 day · from $16Our pick

Spend a full day at Auckland Museum, Tāmaki Paenga Hira, exploring Māori and Pacific treasures, Polynesian voyages, natural history, Auckland communities, and war exhibits. General admission includes the museum only. Add a café stop, store visit, or optional guided tour.

“We were only interested in the war memorial exhibition not the rest of the museum. It was really different to the Australian war memorial and we found a lot of the exhibits very interesting and in the words of my 15 yr old really cool!”

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2.Explore gardens & galleries filled with incredible art, Matakana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 186 reviews · from $40Top rated

At Sculptureum in rural Matakana, you can wander 1.4km of flat paths through three sculpture gardens and six galleries. Your $40 ticket covers admission to more than 800 local and international works, with time for on-site coffee, food, or vineyard wine.

“The artwork and glass art inside the building is fabulous. The gardens and the sculptures are beautiful. The driftwood sculptures of the horses and the whale are amazing. The bronze sculptures were just lovely. I loved the boy pushing the girl on the swing. The sculpture of the boy holding the dolphin is apparently an early work by Leonardo Da Vinci and is quite stunning.”

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3.Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 183 reviews · from $16

Spend three to four hours exploring Auckland Museum, from Polynesian voyages and Māori treasures to Pacific culture, natural history, and New Zealand’s military past. General admission covers the main museum, while guided tours, cultural performances, and special exhibitions cost extra.

“Nice to be able to skip the line, but the line is actually not very long and the staff is a bit unfamiliar with the process of redeeming the tickets. The museum is good, with lots of references and artifacts related to Maori culture. Serve as a good introduction for someone to start delving into the very local part of New Zealand.”

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4.Māori Cultural Experience & Auckland Museum General Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · from $38

At Auckland Museum in Parnell, indigenous artists and orators introduce you to Māori waiata, poi, storytelling, and the origins of the haka. Your ticket also covers general museum admission, though special exhibitions and the Māori Court and Pacific Galleries are excluded or temporarily closed.

“Wouldn’t recommend. Show went less then the allocated time. There wasn’t a Haka as advertised. No real Māori’s in the show. Even after the show the dancers had attitude when dealing with the guests.”

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5.Skip the Line:WWI & WWII Combo Exhibitions at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · from $30

At Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre near Blenheim, you’ll explore both Knights of the Sky and Dangerous Skies at your own pace. Expect rare aircraft, lifelike WingNut Films and Weta Workshop scenes, readable history panels, and a powerful Battle of Stalingrad audiovisual display. Allow at least 90 minutes.

“Very good displays with a lot of information on the panels. Really good for aviation/war enthusiasts.”

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6.Maritime Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 29 reviews · 1 day · from $14Best value

At Auckland’s New Zealand Maritime Museum, you’ll explore Pacific migration, Maori traditions, trade, immigration, shipping, and America’s Cup design through galleries, objects, and hands-on displays. Allow 1 to 3 hours. Entry costs $14, and the museum is wheelchair accessible.

“Great museum and beautifully designed. We were lucky to be there while the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix was underway ~ so it was exciting and great location to watch the race.”

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7.Knights of the Sky – The Great War Exhibition in Blenheim

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $18

At Blenheim’s Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, you’ll follow the development of WWI aviation through restored aircraft, personal artifacts, and cinematic battle scenes. The Knights of the Sky exhibition takes about 45 minutes to 2 hours. Choose a self-guided visit or request a guide.

“We drove from Christchurch to Blenheim just to visit Omaka and we were not disappointed. The exhibits are brilliant and it is easy to see how passionate the museum is about their pieces. The design of the displays are first class and it was wonderful talking to the volunteers. Stay a while, see both WWI and WWII.”

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8.Skip the Line: Dangerous Skies WWII Exhibition – Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $15

At Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim, you’ll explore the Dangerous Skies WWII exhibition at your own pace or request guided commentary. See restored aircraft, learn about Russia’s Night Witches, study Weta Workshop mannequins, and experience the Battle of Stalingrad display.

“Excellent presentation and guide knowledge! I was impressed with the quality of restorative workmanship!”

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9.Gallery Highlights Tour and General Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $29

Spend about an hour with a museum guide across selected galleries at Auckland War Memorial Museum, then explore independently for up to three more hours. Learn about Māori culture, Polynesian navigation, New Zealand geology, natural history, and wartime experiences. The Māori and Pacific galleries are currently closed for maintenance.

“A perfect blend of culture, history, and natural science. The Māori and Pacific Island exhibits were beautifully presented and deeply moving, with stunning carvings and traditional artefacts that really brought the stories to life.”

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10.Dunedin Shore Excursion – Sightseeing, Larnach Castle, Chinese Garden & Museum

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 13 reviews · from $124

From Port Chalmers, a guide-led drive visits Dunedin’s historic sights, Larnach Castle, the Chinese Garden, and Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. You’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, with admissions included. Guide Kim has been especially praised for lively castle storytelling, though guide substitutions have caused problems on some departures.

“This was a very stressful and uncomfortable tour. We arrived at the meeting Point on time and there was no one to meet us. We called the office four times because there was no representative holding a sign for our tour. Over 20 minutes lateRead more”

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11.Private Night Tour of Auckland, Sky Tower Bar, Bridge & Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $399

Spend 2.5 hours with a private English or Spanish-speaking guide, including Carlos when available, visiting Auckland’s waterfront sights after dark. You’ll cross the city by air-conditioned vehicle, stop at Devonport and Westhaven Marina, enjoy a cocktail at SkyBar, and view Auckland Museum from outside.

“Great personalised experience, Carlos remained flexible and we went and viewed some boats , as we discovered interests in chatting!”

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12.Auckland Museum and Highlight Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $111

See Auckland’s key sights in a small group of up to eight. Visit the Harbour Bridge, climb Maungawhau/Mt Eden for 360-degree views, tour Auckland Museum, and stroll the Domain Wintergardens. Guide Sam is known for clear local stories and taking photos for guests.

“I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Sam was an excellent tour guide. He's very knowledgeable, personable, and friendly. He ensured I had a good experience and took pictures and videos along the way, which he sent me. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to appreciate some of the true beauty and history of Auckland!”

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13.Auckland Full Day Attractions & Museums Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $217

Spend about seven hours touring Auckland in a small group of up to 11 people, with pickup, a guide-driver, and an air-conditioned vehicle. You’ll visit Mount Eden, Auckland Museum, the Wintergardens, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Achilles Point, Auckland Art Gallery, and the Harbour Bridge.

“This is a wonderful city, and I felt like a queen being driven around from a place to place with a lovely tour guide who is a gentleman and very knowledgeable”

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