Trip Planner: South Pacific / New Zealand / North Island / Northland Region / Matakohe / The Kauri Museum

The Kauri Museum, Matakohe

4.7

History Museum · Museum

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Delve into the history of some of the nation's first European settlers at The Kauri Museum, documenting the profound impact of the local forestry industry. Visit the museum's extensive undercover outdoor grounds, housing an array of artifacts and displays related to the harvesting of indigenous kauri trees and the lives of 19th-century pioneers. You'll find, among other things, sets of kauri-wood furniture, period clothing, a working sawmill, and even a gigantic kauri tree stump. Don't miss the displays detailing the usages of kauri gum, a resin extracted from the trees and turned into intricate artwork, fire starters, and more. Use our Matakohe online trip itinerary planner to add The Kauri Museum and other attractions to your Matakohe vacation plans.

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Tours to The Kauri Museum

FROM $7,581 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kakapo 21 Day New Zealand Small Group Tour Kakapo 21 Day New Zealand Small Group Tour

5.0

Duration: 21 days

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FROM $20 BOOK WITH VIATOR Story of New Zealand's oldest living resident 'The Kauri Tree' Story of New Zealand's oldest living resident 'The Kauri Tree'

4.7

Duration: 45 minutes

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FROM $462 BOOK WITH VIATOR Auckland to Hokianga & Kai Iwi Lakes 2-Day Tour Auckland to Hokianga & Kai Iwi Lakes 2-Day Tour

Duration: 2 days

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The Kauri Museum reviews

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827 reviews

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4.7

By J4388KPandrewh

The Kauri museum was our first stop after arriving in New Zealand. It has so much to explore, read, and listen to and is great value for money. You will be blown away by the size, detail and...

The Kauri museum was our first stop after arriving in New Zealand. It has so much to explore, read, and listen to and is great value for money. You will be blown away by the size, detail and... more »
By kerry n

We did not plan to stop here, but touring Northland we were keen to just spontaneously stop off. It was definitely worth it and I would highly recommend a visit here. It did cost $25 per person...

We did not plan to stop here, but touring Northland we were keen to just spontaneously stop off. It was definitely worth it and I would highly recommend a visit here. It did cost $25 per person... more »
By Gay G

Stunning museum. We had from 4yr old to 74 yr old with us and everyone was enthralled with the displays and the extensive information. Wonderful display of polishing the kauri gum for the...

Stunning museum. We had from 4yr old to 74 yr old with us and everyone was enthralled with the displays and the extensive information. Wonderful display of polishing the kauri gum for the... more »

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By Anastasiia Zaitceva

Such a wonderful and interesting museum. Worth driving for 2 hours from Auckland. Just amazing. Love learning about nz heritage. Looks small from the outside but huge inside. A cozy cafe nearby. Highly recommended.

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By John Gilbert

Exceptional visit. This is a MUST stop but allow 4 hours if you can. Why? There are photos and real life trees over 3000 yrs in the swamp so 5000 yrs old. Mock ups with real machinery of milling and slabbing HUGE trunks of Kauri. Mock up of living conditions. Finally an amazing display of Kauri furniture, boats and polished Kauri gum. It will captivate all from 5 to 95. Really recommend it & the pies at the Cafe are great!

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By Sharon Close

Much more than kauri. Well worth a look around.

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By Chris Harris

Brilliant! My third visit and it still captures my interest. I wonder, if any updating or modernisation is being considered? Maybe a clearer acknowledgment of the environmental devastation of gum digging and Kauri logging would be in order?

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By Brianna Walsh

This place is so much bigger then it looks and is truly amazing. Took the child here and all three of us found it really interesting and found so many cool things.

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