Tawhiti Museum

“A MUST-SEE Hidden Gem! We were personally recommended to come here by Richard Taylor, who founded WETA workshop together with his wife Tania Rodger. The visit was worth every penny! Little did we know we would be so blown away by the craftsmanship behind all the models and miniatures. Nigel and Teresa Ogle, together with their family and staff, have turned this museum into an amazing interactive experience. The storytelling and world building inside the Tawhiti Museum is of the highest calibre. Catching Nigel in the gift shop during a quiet time, he blessed us with some of the stories of the people who’s likeness was used in casting the life-size models. What a treat! We could’ve easily stayed for a second day to be able to read all of the stories written in the exhibit. Fun trivia: WETA Workshop did the inner rock formations inside the Traders & Whalers boat ride, while the hallways leading to the actual ride were made by one of Nigel’s nephews (if I recall correctly). The life sized model eels featured in the ride come from the same casts as the model eels used in the movie River Queen (2005), which is also featured in the museum for being based on historical events that took place in the Tawhiti area. The Mr Badger cafe has amazing home made treats with incredible price/quality, so definitely don’t miss out on that! Their two gift shops feature some of the most reasonably priced and cool souvenirs of any gift shop I’ve been in all of New Zealand, so make sure to stock up here on your kiwi-themed clothes and goodies! Can’t wait to find another occasion to come back again and I do intend to call this a must-see to any of my friends planning to visit New Zealand!”

“The Tawhiti Museum is truly one of a kind. The depth of history and the artefacts preserved here are astonishing, and the quality of the wax models is absolutely amazing-remarkably detailed and lifelike. It’s clear how much care and effort has gone into preserving and presenting history in such an engaging way. Don’t miss the train and boat rides. If you’re on a tight budget and can only choose one, the boat ride is the better option. However, if you’re visiting with kids, the train ride is definitely the bigger hit. Both add a lot to the overall experience, but costs can add up quickly. The museum also has a really nice, cosy café with plenty of options, beautifully centred and filled with artwork, which makes for a relaxing break. There’s a shop as well, selling souvenirs and other New Zealand-themed items. While the place may look small at first glance, it somehow manages to showcase an impressive amount of art and history. If you’re genuinely interested in art and history, make sure to allow at least 3-4 hours as a bare minimum. One thing to keep in mind: once you add activities like the boat and train rides, the total bill can climb fast-especially for families. If you’re on an absolute tight budget, it’s still worth visiting the museum itself and skipping the rides. The museum is also conveniently located, quite close to Hāwera, making it an excellent stop in the region.”

“This is my favourite museum in New Zealand. Going back in time to the 1800’s, so many stories of people and their lives. Make sure you visit the massive collection of farm machinery and hidden house with Ron Morrieson’s story. You can do an additional boat ride in the whalers station or train ride. Finish your journey with a coffee at the badgers cafe, inspired by Wind in the Willows. I highly recommend. 🥰😊👍 Allow a few hours for the visit. Open Fri - Mon in summer. Only open Sun in Winter.”