The Kauri Museum

“I wanted to write this review in the hopes that I can contribute to the future of the museum. I agree with Johanna who wrote a review below about how the content of the museum felt at odds with itself. On one hand, look at the devastation. On the other, check out the cool machinery used to do it. I found myself quite emotional - and the large Kauri trunk loaded onto a train cart began to look like a corpse. I think the fact that a museum could make me feel this is powerful and perhaps even the entire point of the experience. I wanted to express gratitude for this museum - especially the room dedicated to an entire slab and the circles which showed even large trees of the past. And I wanted to make a suggestion to this museum - I think eventually you could tell a full and complicated story. The story of lumber laborers who were also a deeply exploited class, the story of businessmen who exploited trees, labor, and Maori and any cost. The families who already lived here and the ones who came hoping for a new life. The clear cutting, which was admittedly a feat of human ingenuity and persistence, was more importantly an example of thoughtless and greedy destruction of some of the largest living structures on earth.”

“An absolute must-see. This museum shows how humans can attack nature, yet it always recovers. Thousands of years old plants have been destroyed by humans for commercial purposes. The resin produced by these trees has an incredible importance, and the museum shows how it has been used to produce artisanal products. Fortunately this museum, with the work of good people, has managed to document what happened to prevent further similar damage in the future. You can learn the history of the trees, but also the story of the people who contributed to the birth of this splendid nation with their work and their desire to improve. Well done, and keep up the good work!”

“Imagine you went to Egypt and didn't know about the pyramids and stumbled across them. This place is like that. It's terrific, vast, incredibly well presented and maintained. Tons of stuff from silver tea sets to working replicas of different mills, old tools, engines and huge kauri slabs. AND a replica boarding house with all sorts of old occupations mocked up. I spent hours there. Leave half a day to make it worthwile. You can go in and out if you've brought a picnic like I did or go to the cafe. The whole little village is a museum. 5 million stars.:) Many thanks to all involved- wonderful job.”