Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum

Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum

Hours of operation

10am-4pm, Mon-Fri and 10am-2pm, Sat. Closed Sun. Open Public Holidays except Christmas and New Year. Closed 19 Dec 2025 and reopening at 10am Monday 5 January 2026.

Months of operation

All Year

Phone number

A doorway to Waipā’s past is open once again. Step inside and uncover the stories, taonga, and memories that have shaped our Waipā District. Our museum on Roche Street has reopened with a stunning new look and inspiring spaces to explore.

Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum is situated in Waipā district, within Waikato. A touchpoint for visitors to learn local history, social development and bi-cultural collaborations between Māori and settlers from 1823, through amazing objects and engaging stories. Understand the reasons why British soldiers invaded the Waikato 1863, the locations, who was involved, and its impact on the Waipā communities that are still being felt today. Do you know about Te Ara Wai Journeys? Start your journey with us. We also have our collections online.

Pricing

Free

Proximity to Airport:

25 min drive to Hamilton Airport.

Proximity to Town:

5 min walk to Te Awamutu main township.

Proximity To Coach Terminal:

20 min walk from bus terminal in Te Awamutu.

Activity Duration:

Open Mon - Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-2pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Parking:

Bus parking if needed, free Museum carparks located at back of building, bike parking onsite.

Bus parking if needed, free carparks located across the road.

Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton Gardens

From ancient Egypt to a 21-century Concept Garden. Admission to the enclosed gardens requires a paid entry fee for visitors who live outside of Hamilton, with children under 16 years of age free. Unlike any botanical garden, our unique attraction is rated among the top 3 things to do in New Zealand and is in the top 1% of attractions globally on Tripadvisor. Discover the magic of Hamilton Gardens with one of our tours. Whether you're a first-time explorer or a returning visitor, this immersive journey unveils fascinating tales, discovering the cultural significance woven into every petal and pathway.  Or opt for an Audio Guide to enjoy a narrated journey through the ages and across the continents, exploring at your own pace. 

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery

Haere mai! Welcome to Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery. Perched above the mighty Waikato River, this world-class museum and art gallery is the artistic and cultural heart of the Waikato. Visit us to experience visual stories and guided activities that bring our art, history, culture and science to life through an inspirational programme that aims to challenge and inspire you.

Te Awamutu Museum

ANZAC: Remembering War, Whānau & Home

A temporary focused exhibition highlighting local stories that inspired, confront, and challenge our historical knowledge around ANZAC here in the Waipā district, and how we can remember this important event in our history.

Cider Collective

Cider Collective

The Cider Collective was established to teach people how make sensational apple cider in a fun hands-on environment. With a little cider knowledge and apple tree in your back yard, you will never go thirsty again. A one day programme is an experience that will leave you thoroughly entertained, and with all the knowledge required to make great cider. Your host, John has ten years cider making experience and studied cider making in the UK and USA. A delicious lunch is included.

Leisure Time Travel

Leisure Time Travel

We operate tours around the whole of New Zealand, from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island and everywhere in between. Our experienced and knowledgeable team know the best spots in New Zealand and work hard to incorporate these into an amazing range of tours and short breaks for our guests. Enjoy a truly inspiring experience touring New Zealand with us. Our own fleet of 4-5 Star coaches, plus our high standards and practices have been recognised by Tourism New Zealand’s quality assurance organisation; Qualmark, who have granted us a Gold Award. We take pride in being ethically and environmentally responsible and are one of the only New Zealand tour operators with an exclusive concession with the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

Wendy Kay

Kiwi Balloon Company

Enjoy a panoramic view over the beautiful Waikato area from a hot air balloon. We take off from Innes Common, by the lake in Hamilton, New Zealand. Flights are at sunrise when the air is still and quiet. Experience the breathtaking views of the mountain ranges, various lakes and green fields. The flight duration is around an hour. Plenty of time to soak up the surroundings. After the flight, enjoy sipping on a glass of champagne. What a way to start the day.

All things to do

This website helps visitors connect with providers of great tourism experiences. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider complies with its safety obligations. Users should seek more information from the provider concerned. While Hamilton & Waikato Tourism will do its utmost to ensure the information contained within this website is accurate, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, offers or details of any information or operator listings. Prices, timetables and other details or terms of business may change without notice. The information included in this website is not advice and does not imply any endorsement by Hamilton & Waikato Tourism.