Museum of Wellington

This popular Museum will take you back a thousand years and lead you to a vibrant present-day Wellington. The interactive and exciting exhibitions engage visitors of all ages.

Situated on the Waterfront, in the magnificently restored heritage Bond Store building, the Museum offers visitors a wonderful insight into the social history of Wellington.

Feature exhibitions explore our rich social history – currently on is ‘War in Paradise’, a multi-sensory installation that tells the captivating stories of New Zealand soldiers in New Caledonia during WW2.

The Museum’s atmosphere is thick with history. The Bond Store dates back to 1892, when it was a cargo warehouse and head office of the Harbour Board. Careful restoration has preserved the building’s striking facade, as well as solid timber beams and the original flooring inside.

Traditional displays sit alongside interactive exhibits, holographs and a giant cinema screen that stretches the length and breadth of an entire wall, a feature unique in Australasia.

The central level of the new Museum is devoted to Wellington's maritime history, in recognition of the role the harbour and port has played in shaping the city we have today. The collection includes more than 95,000 items, ranging from 20th century shipping and machinery, through to social history and art.

The Museum also holds the Paine (Maori) Collection, and a full set of the Royal Crown Jewels - but only replicas of course. Administered by the Wellington Museums Trust, the Museum of Wellington City and Sea has one mission: to preserve, promote and present the capital’s abundant history.

The Museum is open every day from 10am - 5pm. Admission is free.

Region: Wellington