The Museum
Complex
The Museum complex is the central hub of Te Manawa and the main point of arrival for most of our visitors. Located next to the Globe theatre it houses the heritage collection, science interactives, learning classrooms, venue-hire spaces and the New Zealand Rugby Museum.
Points of interest:
- Te Rangi Whenua gallery
- Manawatū Journeys – Heritage gallery
- Te Awa gallery and Conservatory
- Tamariki – kids’ space
- Te Rangahau Curiosity Centre
- New Zealand Rugby Museum
- The Atrium
- Tōtaranui historic cottage
- Te Awahou Schoolhouse
- The Dino Dig
Tūhura-tia! | Discoveries every day
Blending art, science and heritage together means Te Manawa is a museum where almost anything can happen. An ever-changing schedule of touring experiences joins a permanent offering of exhibits that tell the story of our people, our environment and our world.
A diverse calendar of events and learning programmes offers opportunities to expand your horizon every day. With something for all ages, stop by and be entertained, challenged and inspired. It’s never too late to see what you’ve been missing.
Discover more about the unique learning experiences Te Manawa offers your family, or your school.
Check out our programme of events and activities.
Museum
Stories
Read the latest stories from the Museum blog.
An Iconic Brand: Airfix kitset catalogues in the 1960s
Tony Rasmussen finds some nostalgic treasure in the Te Manawa collection, and recalls the pleasures of model-making through the products of an iconic brand.
Granddad’s Toy Truck: farming the unfarmable
Kirsty Porter links a Tippco truck to family life on a remote back-country farm.
Made in New Zealand: a puzzle of industry
Mike Roche applies an historical geographer’s perspective to a children's jigsaw puzzle from the 1950s. What did we produce and where did it go?
Children and Families
Te Manawa is a vibrant and active place that offers a range of experience for all ages. Each year Te Manawa hosts more than 200 school and early-childhood groups, XXX birthday parties, more than 100 workshops, classes and school holiday activities and has a popular children’s area with a focus on curiosity-led, interactive play.
Join our online community via Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to keep up with the range of events and activities for your whānau!
Play area for children under-8. Tamariki features a kid-sized kitchen, building wall, treehouse, reading nook with New Zealand stories in both English and Te Reo Māori, a Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Beca electric car.
Have an awesome birthday party at Te Manawa with a Museum experience tailored just for your party-goers!
kōrero mai
get in touch
Phone: +64 (06) 355-5000
0800-4-A-MUSEUM
Te Manawa Museum
326 Main Street
Private Bag 11055
Palmerston North, 4442
Aotearoa New Zealand
haere mai
visit us
HOURS:
Tues – Sun: 10am – 5.00pm
(Opens 1pm Anzac Day. Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Open Mondays during School Holidays)
Free general entry.
Donations appreciated
Charges may apply to some exhibitions/programmes.
