Collections

 

Whangarei Museum has a significant collection from the Whangarei and the Northland region.

Beginning in 1903 with a donation to the Whangarei County Council by the Mair family, the collection now totals over 50,000 items.

It includes fine examples of Tai Tokerau Taonga Maori and early European settler collections also natural history collections, domestic items, examples of early trade and industry and a large photograph and archive collection related to the above.

The Museum houses three core collections; the Whangarei District Council collection, the Fraser Collection (of predominantly taonga Maori) and the Whangarei Museum collection. In addition, the Clarke Family homestead and its contents are a significant collection.

Special items of interest include the Fraser Collection of Taonga Maori, a large fishing waka from Puhipuhi, a fine collection of Maori cloaks, the Fairburn beetle collection of nearly 20,000 New Zealand specimens collected by a local entomologist, the Maungatapere concretions thought to be a million years old and artefacts from the local trade in kauri gum and timber milling.

Displays showcase the rich heritage of the region. The natural history section displays the native birds common to the Northland region, with a section on the Poor Knights Islands. Maori history displays cover early fishing techniques and agriculture and the tools used in stone tool manufacture, gardening and weaving.

Early pioneer and settler displays focus on various aspects of the social history of the area. There is also a small exhibition of on militaria and a display on the Northland Regimental colours.

A programme of special exhibitions showcases items in the collection not normally on display and occassionally host touring exhibitions.

Back to top