Back to Auckland Continue to the Winter Garden

Our plan for our one full day in Auckland was to start with a visit to the Auckland Museum, located somewhat to the southeast of the Central Business District. The local train system wasn’t much help, with only one stop in the CBD (the Britomart Transport Centre), but it appeared that one of the stops (in Auckland University) on the free City Circuit bus would take us most of the way to where we wanted to go.

Sky Tower from Hotel

City Circuit Bus

The museum is located in a large park called the Auckland Domain, at the top of a hill. The park is mainly grass and trees and is probably very pleasant on a warm day, but on a mid-winter day, even a sunny one, we found the going cold and steep. The place was scenic, though.

Bob and Connie with Domain Sign	Centennial Walkway, The Domain
Auckland Museum	Inscription on Auckland Museum

The museum itself is on the peculiar side, having multiple not-obviously-related personalities. Its former name was the War Memorial Museum, and there was someone outside the museum protesting the (fairly recent) name change for reasons unknown to us. And the top floor of the three-floor museum is exactly this, with exhibits commemorating New Zealand’s involvement in several wars since the mid-19^th century.

World War I Field Gun

Spitfire

There are walls inscribed with names of New Zealanders who lost their lives in the wars and quiet areas for contemplation of their sacrifice.

South African War Area

Globe and Figure, Hall of Memories

The middle floor of the museum, however, is mostly devoted to the natural history of New Zealand, with fossils, stuffed animals, and information about volcanoes.

Dinosaur Skeleton

Stuffed Albatross

But there are also small areas of Asian arts and European artifacts.

Buddha in Greco-Roman Style

Small Figurines

The ground floor is devoted to Polynesian history, with a large central Maori Court.

Polynesian Ear Ornaments	Shields
Meeting House and Food Storage House (WMV Video, 8.6 MB)	Food Storage House

But this floor also has areas for childhood interests (exhibits on toys and schools, and also a stuffed elephant) and decorative arts.

Rajah the Elephant

As a whole, the museum has much of interest, but the visitor should be prepared for a little of everything. The price is right too, as admission is a “suggested donation” of $5.

More Photos:

Sculpture in The Domain	War Monument
Artillery Piece	Bob and Connie with Monument
Recreated 19th Century Town	Rifles
Japanese Zero	Skylight
View from Third Floor	Swordfish
Stuffed Kiwi	Ancient American Figure
Mummy	Polynesian Mask
Polynesian Object	Medallions
Necklaces	Maori Carvings
Maori Canoe (WMV Video, 6.8 MB)	Maori Meeting House
Interior of Meeting House	Inside the Meeting House (WMV Video, 8.5 MB)

Continue to the Winter Garden Back to Auckland