Waitaki Museum & Archive
Waitaki Museum & Archive, Oamaru: Hours, Address, Waitaki Museum & Archive Reviews: 3.5/5
Waitaki Museum & Archive
Waitaki Museum & Archive
3.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
About
Welcome to the Waitaki Museum & Archive/ Te Whare Taoka o Waitaki. Waitaki Museum tells the stories of the natural and cultural history of the Waitaki District with 3 new exhibition spaces: Our Land Tō Tātau Whenua: a sample of Waitaki district’s geology. Kā Puipuiaki o Korotuaheka: discover the Waitaha Taoka | Stewart Willetts Family Collection. European Settlement: stories of the arrival of European settlers in the Waitaki District.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Contribute
3.5
42 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
16
Average
4
Poor
5
Terrible
4
AdrienneJ15
Christchurch, New Zealand66 contributions
Feb 2022
my friend and I each had an agenda to find out more about an ancestor's life... the archive assistants were able to help us both and as a result we spent the rest of the day exploring areas where "ancient feet had trod". sorry no time on this trip to see the museum exhibits! but will be back...
Written 17 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Eli B
Sydney, Australia3,697 contributions
Oct 2019
Its classical facade is pretty enough but the cultural wealth within celebrating Maori and Pakeha history is educational and inspiring. Its got exhibits on local writer Janet Frame, architecture and geology. This town has got the goods.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jan Willem t
Nijmegen, The Netherlands1,457 contributions
Nov 2019
This Museum collects artefacts and objects that tell the natural, cultural, agricultural and industrial stories of the Waitaki District: from early Maori occupation around the Waitaki River mouth, European settlement by whalers and runholders through to the discovery of gold and the wool and meat industries which led to the development of Oamaru as a significant port town. Apart of those there are from time to time other temporary collections related to varies subjects. Today there are renovation works in the building
Written 9 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for leaving a review.
Written 11 November 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jacquie
Dunedin, New Zealand10 contributions
Jul 2019
It is a must visit place on your trip - the North Otago Museum with its great displays, very interesting exhibits and very helpful and friendly staff. Be sure to put it on your visiting list when you come to Oamaru.
Written 9 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jlweich
Wellington, New Zealand7 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
When we visited, the main section of the museum was undergoing renovation. However, the Willets' collection is still on display in the archive room, which is accessed from the side of the building. Much of this particular collection isn’t well labeled, so out of context we didn’t quite understand what we were looking at. Thankfully Christine, an archive volunteer, took time to explain the significance of what appeared to be a drawer of rocks. Her passion for geology and the history of the region really came through. We ended up spending at least an hour at the museum and were so glad we had gone.
Written 8 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jacquiewebby
Oamaru, New Zealand23 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
The renovations will enhance an already fantastic showcase of exhibits. The research staff are knowledgable and very helpful. One of the jewels in the crown of Oamaru
Written 7 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jeff M
Auckland, New Zealand374 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
There isn't a lot to see here currently although the stone artifacts are interesting and there is a press and a guillotine on display. The staff member on hand was friendly and there is an archaeological report that you can read through.
Written 20 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thanks for taking the time to post a review of our museum.
Written 22 July 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
A Y
Hong Kong, China310 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
The small museum is housed in an historic building. It is more like an archive than museum (said to be used by genealogists and historians who want to research into the history of North Otago). When I went, there were some old printing press machines on display. There is also a video on the history and development of Oamaru (same video which plays in Whitestone City). The video is good. Museum is free.
If you are interested in the history of Oamaru, just pop in for the video.
If you are interested in the history of Oamaru, just pop in for the video.
Written 23 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thanks for taking the time to review the North Otago Museum. We are currently working on improving the museum exhibitions.
Written 2 April 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
WilsonFamilyNz
Pleasant Point, New Zealand535 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
Very friendly staff but nothing there compared to other museums we have visited. Good wheelchair access
Written 16 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Waitaki Museum & Archive
- Waitaki Museum & Archive is open:
- Tue - Fri 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Hotels near Waitaki Museum & Archive:
- (0.15 km) Brydone Hotel Oamaru
- (0.16 km) Empire Hotel Backpackers
- (0.36 km) Poshtel
- (0.35 km) Criterion Hotel
- (0.35 km) The Vicarage Boutique Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Waitaki Museum & Archive:
- (0.03 km) Daily Grind
- (0.04 km) Oscars Pizza Co.
- (0.04 km) Temptations Bakery
- (0.09 km) Fat Sallys
- (0.17 km) The Last Post Pub & Restaurant