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The 1 Largest Museum in Palmerston North, New Zealand

Step back in time and explore the rich history and culture of Palmerston North at the city’s premier museum. Discover a hidden gem that encapsulates the essence of New Zealand’s North Island.

With captivating exhibits and interactive displays, the museum offers a journey through history, art, and innovation, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the region’s past and present.

Top Museum in Palmerston North, New Zealand

Palmerston North (; Māori: Te Papa-i-Oea, known colloquially as Palmy) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Located in the eastern Manawatu Plains, the city is near the north bank of the Manawatu River, 35 km (22 mi) from the river's mouth, and 12 km (7 mi) from the end of the Manawatū Gorge, about 140 km (87 mi) north of the capital, Wellington. Palmerston North is the country's eighth-largest urban area, with an urban population of 82,500  (June 2023). The estimated population of Palmerston North city is 91,800  (June 2023).The official limits of the city take in rural areas to the south, north-east, north-west and west of the main urban area, extending to the Tararua Ranges; including the town of Ashhurst at the mouth of the Manawatū Gorge, the villages of Bunnythorpe and Longburn in the north and west respectively. The city covers a land area of 395 square kilometres (98,000 acres).The city's location was once little more than a clearing in a forest and occupied by small communities of Māori, who called it Papa-i-Oea, believed to mean "How beautiful it is". In the mid-19th century, it was settled by Europeans—originally by Scandinavians and, later, British settlers. On foundation, the British settlement was bestowed the name Palmerston, in honour of Viscount Palmerston, a former British Prime Minister. The suffix North was added in 1871 to distinguish the settlement from Palmerston in the South Island. Today, the name is often informally shortened to "Palmy".Early Palmerston North relied on public works and sawmilling. The west coast railway was built in 1886, linking the town to Wellington, and Palmerston North benefited from a booming pastoral farming industry. Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North Hospital, and the establishment of Massey University (in 1927) have reduced the dependence on farming due to more skilled workers, since the early 20th century. Popular attractions include Te Manawa (a museum and art gallery that includes the New Zealand Rugby Museum), and several performing arts venues.

Top Museum in Palmerston North, New Zealand

Te Manawa Museum

  • Address: 326 Main Street, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (957)
  • Phone: +64 6 355 5000
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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The Best Museum near Palmerston North, New Zealand

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5 Replies to The 1 Largest Museum in Palmerston North, New Zealand

  1. The museum looks deceptively small from the front, but is cleverly designed where one room leads to another, and so on, so it’s kind of “long”. Of course, like many museums elsewhere where the nation is divided, to some extent, between an original indigenous population and European colonisers, the museums are organised from a certain dominant perspective, history of the nation is seen from a certain skewed lens. Having said that, this museum by itself was fascinating, because the country itself is. More than its people it’s the flora and fauna that attracts attention, and here the museum has done an excellent job! As an extra bonus we managed to catch a fab show of the celebrated Maori artist Sandy Adsett.

  2. Excellent (free admission) museum with natural history, educational and outdoor displays worth an explore. Upstairs has the Rugby Museum (paid admission), and special exhibitions. Additionally, there is an art gallery with special exhibitions that change seasonally.

  3. We had a birthday party at Te Manawa. It was great value for money. We had a really good space with activities set up for the kids, more than we expected. The host Andi was great. Really helpful and great with the kids. Matty and Shannon were so helpful and lovely. Would definitely recommend Te Manawa to host kids birthdays.

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