MTG Hawke's Bay
MTG Hawke's Bay
4
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
MTG Hawke's Bay is at home in the heart of Napier forming the cultural centre of this stylish city for over 150 years. MTG Hawke's Bay is a place where people, objects and ideas meet. MTG inhabits three buildings of distinct character - an art deco masterpiece, a modernist gem and a light-filled gallery that looks out across the magnificent Hawke Bay. MTG Hawke's Bay is home to a nationally significant collection of art and objects that form the foundation of distinctive exhibitions and a world-class research facility. The MTG Theatre hosts a lively programme of film and performing arts. MTG Hawke's Bay uses its collection to tell the stories of New Zealand with assurance and style. This is the place to get a fresh perspective on the stories you know including the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. Here too the art that adorns our walls and the objects that fill our homes come together alongside precious photographs and documents to creatively illustrate the life stories of successive generations of New Zealanders. Visit our fabulous little shop selling a range of MTG publications and merchandise inspired by the magic of the Museum collections. MTG Hawke's Bay welcomes visitors from all over the world to share in the complex and fascinating history of New Zealand through the lens of a distinct and characterful region.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles316 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
115
Average
29
Poor
23
Terrible
11

Bonnie936
New Zealand164 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
Thought I would check out MTG as I had not been for awhile. What a fabulous surprise to see that the retail area had been spruced up and now features a fabulous array of books souvenirs jigsaws keepsakes etc to choose from. Just loved the table with activities etc to buy for the younger generation. There’s something for everyone.
Naturally the exhibition that is on Silver Shadows is a blast from the past if you ever visited years ago. Very spacious and everything is well laid out. Front of house staff are very pleasant and welcoming.
Written 7 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wombatdavid
Hobart, Australia2,570 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
We stopped in here as we were walking around Napier. Checkout the earthquake exhibit in the basement. Also offer free wifi. Free entry
Written 3 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KiwiCat1234
Auckland Central, New Zealand311 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
Lovely helpful staff. The exhibits were fabulous. The earthquake exhibit was really well done, just a shame that the kids had such loud outside voices inside. The gift shop is full of locally made treasures. I wish we had spent more time there. What an amazing place and it’s free!
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael K
London, UK544 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
The ground floor tells the story of the local iwi in whose land this city lies and their chieftains. The basement tells the powerful story of the earthquake of 1931, in which 256 people lost their lives. There is also a section about Art Deco and Clarice Cliffe. A 1930s interior backdrop is provided with some period clothes for you to be photographed in and against. The top floor has some random silver items, some quite good modern art, and a quirky topic; the former Marineland, a popular tourist attraction in Napier from the 1960s up to 2009. Our late Queen visited in 1960. Changing social attitudes about performing animals led to its eventual closure. The story is told of Flash, the performing seal, who, dressed in human clothes, was taught various acts to amuse an audience. Having read his story, you discover that there he is, next to you; taxidermied! A smallish museum as they go, so doesn't take too long to visit
Written 26 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

thompsonmc2016
West Auckland, United Kingdom103 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
This place is worth a visit to get a good history of the area. Staff attentive and helpful, and ready to answer questions.
Written 22 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

StaceyCheer
Arapuni, New Zealand145 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
We stumbled into the MTG while waiting for a tour to begin. What a great way to fill in an hour! We particularly enjoyed the earthquake exhibit, with its wonderful first-hand accounts and the surviving artifacts. A very sobering history of how Napier was destroyed and rebuilt, and the resilience of NZers.
Written 11 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Margaret S
Napier, New Zealand560 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
I preferred the old entry layout with the Māori statues etc. The Faraday Centre would be much more interesting to school students I think. Theres too much reading for the young and not enough items to look at and discuss.
Written 29 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Prince Vegeta
Auckland, New Zealand10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
This is one awesome museum plus entry is free. Must visit the earthquake museum in lower level where we were in tears reading the survivor accounts. Must sit for the survivor stories. Amazing.
Written 2 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DudleyandFreda
Napier, New Zealand146 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Well worth a visit to view the Napier earthquake exhibitions but we found the other exhibitions a bit wishy washy and lacked content, could have been better and more informative.
Written 18 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matthew
Wellington, New Zealand40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Great little provincial museum. Good for an hour's escape from the sun, and a chance to learn a little about the local history. Can definitely recommend the voices of Kahungunu, as well as the Earthquake gallery. The exhibition on the history of freezing works was also really interesting!
Written 9 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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MTG HAWKE'S BAY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about MTG Hawke's Bay

MTG Hawke's Bay is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM