1 / 3Hokitika Museum
📍 Hokitika, West Coast
Best for a rainy hour with older children who like a story. Hokitika's museum covers the town's pounamu heritage, the gold rush and Ngāti Waewae history, with a children's gallery built around play. Children enter free.
Lots of great readings and artifacts too see learn so much History. Really enjoyed walking through this Museum, learnt a lot.. Very much recommended to visit only $10 per Adult which was worth it.. beautiful Greenstone alongside other items .. Interesting watching the Video playing .. Children's area was good for them.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
A calm, well-presented hour that suits primary-age children who enjoy museums, with a play gallery to hold the younger ones, and the cost is nearly nothing for a family since kids are free. Not a whole-day place, so pair it with the beach and the glowworm dell.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →93 Google reviews
Antonia Trail
“Lots of great readings and artifacts too see learn so much History. Really enjoyed walking through this Museum, learnt a lot.. Very much recommended to visit only $10 per Adult which was worth it.. beautiful Greenstone alongside other items .. Interesting watching the Video playing .. Children's area was good for them.”
Carl Rao
“Really cute little museum featuring local history and interesting exhibits! The staff is extremely welcoming and this is definitely worth the visit instead of just visiting for the Hokitika sign!”
Renée Gilmour
“The building is impressive, lovely staff, full of knowledge and enthusiasm. Loved the Kura Pounamu exhibit, amazing history and really gorgeous pieces on display.”
Scott Doherty
“Really interesting exhibits about Māori culture and the gold rush that brought the town in to what it is today”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Hokitika Museum lives in the town's restored 1908 Carnegie Building on Hamilton Street, a block from the famous beach sign. Its Mana Whenua gallery tells the story of Ngāti Waewae and Ngāti Māhaki and their bond with pounamu, the West Coast History gallery covers exploration, gold rushes and community life, and temporary shows rotate. Te Ara Tamariki is a dedicated children's gallery built around play and making. Children and Hokitika residents enter free; adults pay a small fee.
