Things to do in Greater Wellington, North Island: The Best History Museums

February 22, 2022 Augustus Redeker

Discover the best top things to do in Greater Wellington, New Zealand including Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre, He Tohu, Wellington Museum, Featherston Heritage Museum, Cobblestones Museum, Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, Dominion Museum, National Archives, Petone Settlers Museum, Corrections' Heritage Centre.
Restaurants in Greater Wellington

1. Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre

2 Rhine Street, Wellington 6023 New Zealand +64 4-383 7769 [email protected] http://www.compassion.org.nz
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre

Discover the inspiring story of Suzanne Aubert, New Zealand's first saint-in-the-making, and the living mission of the Sisters of Compassion. Take some time out in the Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion, renowned for its John Drawbridge stained glass windows. Enjoy a walk in the tranquility of the gardens.All this is set in the beautiful and historic grounds of Our Lady's Home of Compassion.

2. He Tohu

National Library of New Zealand 70 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 New Zealand +64 800 474 300 http://www.hetohu.nz
Excellent
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5.0 based on 12 reviews

He Tohu

3. Wellington Museum

3 Jervois Quay, Wellington 6011 New Zealand +64 4-472 8904 [email protected] http://www.museumswellington.org.nz/wellington-museum/
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
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4.5 based on 1,345 reviews

Wellington Museum

Wellington Museum celebrates the people and the events that have shaped the character and soul of the Capital City of New Zealand and it’s region. Visitors are transported to the 1800s, and then explore the city’s metamorphosis. The Ngā Heke exhibition showcases prized taonga, Te Whanganui a Tara (The Great Harbour of Tara), and contemporary work from Māori artists and poets. Reach the top floor and you’ll be greeted by the delightfully bizarre; The Attic, which embraces the more peculiar side of Wellington’s history. Explore, listen, and even time travel. The Museum Store is a gem of a place to get a unique gift for yourself or a loved one, find exquisite New Zealand made memorabilia. The Museum is located at the heart of Wellington’s waterfront, just two minutes from the shopping on Lambton Quay and the iconic cable car. It is free and listed as one of the must-dos while in the world’s coolest little capital.

Reviewed By Meatpie40 - Te Anau, New Zealand

this rates better than te papa in my opinion, lots of informative displays and curiosities, great focus on local history and plenty of interactive stuff to play with

4. Featherston Heritage Museum

Corner Lyon & Fitzherbert Streets, Featherston 5710 New Zealand +64 21 263 9403 [email protected] http://wairarapanz.com/see-and-do/featherston-heritage-museum
Excellent
67%
Good
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4.5 based on 3 reviews

Featherston Heritage Museum

5. Cobblestones Museum

169 Main Street, Greytown 5712 New Zealand +64 6-304 9687 [email protected] http://www.cobblestonesmuseum.org.nz/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 137 reviews

Cobblestones Museum

Cobblestones Museum is located in Greytown on the site of the original Hastwell stables built in 1866. From here horse drawn coaches departed for Wellington and other Wairarapa towns. The new Entrance & Exhibition Building acts as an introduction to the museum and village and showcases a number of our larger and significant objects in our collection. The new exhibition building tells some of Greytown’s and Wairarapa heritage stories within it, and provides a link to other displays at Cobblestones and the region’s wider history. We also show the strong links to Papawai Marae and the exhibition features two river waka both of which were recovered from farmlands in the South Wairarapa. Within Cobblestone’s attractive village setting visitors can discover a range of historic buildings, giving an insight into life as it was lived by the Wairarapa’s first European settlers.

Reviewed By MKR61 - Macclesfield, United Kingdom

So pleased we stopped off here. Great museum of original buildings from local communities with lots of original artefacts. Particularly scary equipment in the little hospital, and sweet reminders of everyday life in the cottage. Excellent display of local photographs and history in the main building, well presented. Very knowledgable and friendly volunteers too, thank you!

6. Holocaust Centre of New Zealand

80 Webb Street Te Aro, Wellington 6011 New Zealand +64 4-801 9480 [email protected] http://holocaustcentre.org.nz
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4.5 based on 10 reviews

Holocaust Centre of New Zealand

The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand is country's national Holocaust education and remembrance Centre, sharing the stories of the survivors of Nazi persecution, who came to make New Zealand their home. Read their stories, see DVDs of their testimony and learn the history of the Holocaust in a NZ context. We also hold commemorative events, film screenings and guest speakers. Bi-annually we raise funds to send 25 - 30 NZ educators to Yad Vashem in Israel for an intensive programme on Holocaust Education, enhancing the skills of teachers to teach the Holocaust within their own schools. Our vision is that through testimony, experience & advocacy we will inspire and empower individuals to stand against prejudice, discrimination and apathy. We are a not-for-profit charity existing primarily on grants and donations. Public entry is free but a donation would be much appreciated. Donations over $5 are valid for tax receipts. Open till 4pm on the last Sunday of every month.

7. Dominion Museum

13 Buckle Street, Wellington 6011 New Zealand http://www.greatwarexhibition.nz
Excellent
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4.5 based on 40 reviews

Dominion Museum

8. National Archives

10 Mulgrave Street, Wellington 6011 New Zealand +64 4-499 5595 http://archives.govt.nz
Excellent
46%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
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4.0 based on 24 reviews

National Archives

9. Petone Settlers Museum

The Esplanade Petone, Wellington 6008 New Zealand +64 4-568 8373 [email protected] http://petonesettlers.org.nz
Excellent
35%
Good
55%
Satisfactory
10%
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4.0 based on 49 reviews

Petone Settlers Museum

Reviewed By wing6rider-Australia - Canberra, Australia

We were passing by and stopped in for a look around. It's not huge but has some nice exhibits. We found the film about the closure of the soap factory interesting. YMMV

10. Corrections' Heritage Centre

44-52 The Terrace, Wellington 6011 New Zealand +64 4-460 3000 http://www.corrections.govt.nz/about_us/who_we_are/our_story/our_heritage_centre.html
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4.0 based on 3 reviews

Corrections' Heritage Centre

Corrections’ Heritage Centre captures some of the fascinating history of imprisonment and criminal rehabilitation in New Zealand. Visitors will learn how New Zealand’s approach to offender management has evolved, and how society’s attitude to crime and punishment has changed from the 1800s through to today. Exhibitions include a replica historic prison cell; improvised weapons and makeshift tattoo equipment made by prisoners; and uniforms worn by staff. The centre also showcases the modern facilities now operated by Corrections’, and demonstrates our focus on reducing re-offending on an offender’s journey from their arrest, through to their release from prison. A special exhibit includes a look at Corrections involvement in World War One. The exhibit is part of commemorations to mark the hundred year anniversary of World War One.

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