1 / 3Te Hikoi Museum
📍 Riverton / Aparima, Southland
A small, well-cared-for museum in Riverton where a short intro film and life-size scenes bring local whaling, seafaring and Maori history to life. Best for school-age kids rather than restless toddlers.
We were prompted to visit this Museum and Visitor Information Centre by a review which raved about their 15 minute film. We enjoyed it, but not at an 8.6 on IMDb level*! However Oscar-winning isn’t this short movie’s objective. Rather it’s to provide a succinct and easy to absorb overview of the early local history. Then when you view the many individual exhibits they’re that much more meaningful. The welcome we received from Brent and the information he provided were excellent - ask him for anecdotes about Hillary if he’s there when you are! So it’s well worth the modest ticket price of NZ$9 per adult. This includes entry and introduction movie. $5 for introduction movie only. Kids 14 and under go free. *Note: IMDb is a film review and ratings service and nothing to do with sound volume! A film which gets 8.6 on IMDb is truly outstanding.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
This is a great stop for families who like a bit of story with their history - one reviewer's 11 and 13 year old grandsons loved it, and the film plus life-size scenes seem to click with school-age kids more than restless toddlers.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →306 Google reviews
Hamish Pringle
“We were prompted to visit this Museum and Visitor Information Centre by a review which raved about their 15 minute film. We enjoyed it, but not at an 8.6 on IMDb level*! However Oscar-winning isn’t this short movie’s objective. Rather it’s to provide a succinct and easy to absorb overview of the early local history. Then when you view the many individual exhibits they’re that much more meaningful. The welcome we received from Brent and the information he provided were excellent - ask him for anecdotes about Hillary if he’s there when you are! So it’s well worth the modest ticket price of NZ$9 per adult. This includes entry and introduction movie. $5 for introduction movie only. Kids 14 and under go free. *Note: IMDb is a film review and ratings service and nothing to do with sound volume! A film which gets 8.6 on IMDb is truly outstanding.”
Adrienne Heal
“This museum is superb. Friendly staff usher you to watch a 15 minute story about the history of whaling, sea faring, farming and Maori interactions in the region before you wander amongst fabulous static displays and information. Our 11 and 13 year old grandsons loved our time there. An experience not to be missed.”
Mitch Fisher
“Great museum with a huge amount of information about the Southlands over numerous periods of time! Would take a couple trips back to learn all that’s there!👍 The gift shop also had a huge range of things, including a great selection of books 📚🤩”
David Taylor
“So pleased I dropped in for a visit to this awesome informative well cared for museum. A real treasure. Plus great gift shop, lovely welcoming staff. Thank you.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Start with the 15-minute film that sets up the region's whaling, seafaring, farming and Maori history, then wander through life-size scenes that make it all feel real - one reviewer's 11 and 13 year old grandsons were sold. It's a compact museum, so it suits school-age kids who'll sit for a story better than toddlers on the move. Staff are consistently warm and there's a good gift shop, plus pram access if you're bringing a little one along.