LOCATION
The Kauri Museum in Matakohe, Northland, New Zealand is a 2 hour drive north of Auckland, or a 1 hour drive from Whangarei. Take the turn off at the Brynderwyn hills (State Highway 1) onto State Highway 12 (towards Dargaville). We are 20 minutes up the road from the turn off. The Museum is on the Ancient Kauri Trail to the Waipoua Kauri Forest and on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway.
Helipad transfers on request.
WHEELCHAIRS
The Museum has loan wheelchairs available for guest use.
EV CHARGING POINTS
The Kauri Museum has two charging points outside the main building. These are J-1772 and Type 2 plugs. For more details visit this link.
GUIDED TOURS
Private tours of the museum and behind the scenes special tours are available for an additional cost. Please CONTACT US to find out more. The Museum also opens for private evening functions. PRIVATE TOURS of our Historic Villa - Totara House are available by appointment only. The cost per head is $10.
LOCATION
The Kauri Museum in Matakohe, Northland, New Zealand is a 2 hour drive north of Auckland, or a 1 hour drive from Whangarei. Take the turn off at the Brynderwyn hills (State Highway 1) onto State Highway 12 (towards Dargaville). We are 20 minutes up the road from the turn off. The Museum is on the Ancient Kauri Trail to the Waipoua Kauri Forest and on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway.
Helipad transfers on request.
WHEELCHAIRS
The Museum has loan wheelchairs available for guest use.
EV CHARGING POINTS
The Kauri Museum has two charging points outside the main building. These are J-1772 and Type 2 plugs. For more details visit this link.
GUIDED TOURS
Private tours of the museum and behind the scenes special tours are available for an additional cost. Please CONTACT US to find out more. The Museum also opens for private evening functions. PRIVATE TOURS of our Historic Villa - Totara House are available by appointment only. The cost per head is $10.
EDUCATION
Your fantastic family or school day trip one hour’s drive north of Warkworth, the Kauri Museum on the north shore of the Kaipara Harbour is a complete destination. We offer more than 4500 square metres of exhibition halls, galleries and stories. There is a great café on site, serving light refreshments and meals in a peaceful setting, with an expansive view down to the harbour.
Children love our new Forest Walkway experience. Visitors are invited to take a daring leap into imagination as the museum narrates the story of the kauri tree, commencing at the genesis of time with the Māori creation legend Te Waonui o Tane. This ethereal journey echoes the essence of forests past and those yet to come, akin to strolling through a Once and Future Forest. The museum aims to capture a sense of wonder associated with the ancientness of kauri and their fundamental place in the story of Aotearoa
Additional activities for children and schools are outlined below.
Educators are welcome to download our Schools' Information and Booking Pack here, which provides an overview of the Museum.
PIONEER SCHOOL
What was school like for pioneer children?
Early education began in Matakohe in 1878 and the Museum’s Pioneer School was Matakohe’s first school building. The school is complete with desks, pens, books, maps and more.
Visiting school groups are welcome to add on a specific talk in this space; a member of our Museum Team will invite your students to consider how education has changed over time, with a talk focused on the pioneer learning experience using historical items from within the schoolhouse.
In the past we have held successful children's drawing workshops in the Pioneer School. Individuals and community groups are also invited to TALK TO US about booking events in this space.
A peaceful native bush walk is located next to the Pioneer School. A perfect spot for your group to enjoy.
The Museum has a fascinating archive of photos and items relating to schooling in the area. If you are creating educational resources or planning something special for your class, feel free to contact us to make use of our library and archives.
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
OBJECT TREASURE HUNT
When you visit the museum remember to ask for a copy of our free OBJECT TREASURE HUNT to add another level of fun to your experience. Find the items around the museum as you explore. We have easy, medium and hard options available. Great for all ages, little ones may need help.
Visiting school groups are welcome to utilise these Object Treasure Hunt activities as part of their visit.
HISTORICAL COSTUMES
The Museum has a selection of dress ups available for your family to enjoy in the Volunteers Hall. A great photo opportunity!
GUM POLISHING
With prior arrangement we also offer gum polishing workshops for school groups, or other small groups. Children love this hands on learning activity where they can sand and polish their own piece of kauri gum with guidance from a member of our team.
EDUCATORS - BOOK YOUR VISIT
Endless opportunities exist for educational visits to the Kauri Museum.
We offer educational sessions or inquiry-based research that covers the two fields of social and natural sciences. Through hands on experiences, dramatic recreations, questioning and critical thinking, lessons can be built around a number of themes.
We have learning resources available for different year levels. Click here to download our Schools' Information Pack.
The Museum has rooms which you can book for private learning sessions, and we can help you with planning your visit
If you would like to visit the Museum on a school trip or other educational visit, please complete the form below.