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Museum · Motueka, Tasman
Motueka District Museum
Local history museum in a 1913 school building on High Street, listed as a heritage place, covering the region’s geology, Māori and European settlement and the tobacco, hop and fruit industries.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Motueka District Museum
The Motueka District Museum has operated since 1987 in the former district high school building, built in 1913 on High Street. The building is listed by Heritage New Zealand as a Category 2 historic place.
The displays cover the region’s geology, Māori occupation and the arrival of European settlers, and Motueka’s role in tobacco farming, hop fields and orchards, which shaped the valley’s economy and landscape. The collection includes everyday objects, Māori pieces (taonga) and work equipment, plus temporary exhibitions about local history.
The museum has a public research room with archives and a reference library. On Tuesdays, volunteers from the local historical society usually help people looking for information about the area or their ancestors.
It’s a short visit, useful for understanding the town before exploring the waterfront and the valley.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour.
Best time
Open Tuesday to Friday and on Sundays during daytime, closed in August. Confirm before you go. No entry fee; the museum accepts donations.
How to get there
It’s on High Street, Motueka’s main street, in the town centre, within walking distance from anywhere in the centre.
Tip
Start your visit to Motueka at the museum: it explains the origin of the orchards and hops you see along State Highway 60.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Motueka District Museum
What’s in the Motueka museum?
Galleries on the area’s geology, the region’s early Māori inhabitants, the settlers and agricultural work, plus changing temporary displays throughout the year.
When is the Motueka District Museum open?
Generally five days a week, including Sunday, with a one-month winter closure. Check opening hours before you go.
In which building is the Motueka museum housed?
In a school built in 1913, now protected on the country’s heritage list.