The Pioneer Village
The Pioneer Village
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
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 - 4:00 PM
About
Buildings include the Waimate North Courthouse built in 1862 which is the oldest courthouse in New Zealand, the Maioha Cottage built in 1875 and Utakura Hall and School built in 1891. Collections include the Fergie Neilson collection of Maori artefacts; Bill Pratt collection of gum-digging equipment and the Purdy collection of blacksmith tools. Machinery includes the only surviving Albion Cuthbertson Water Buffalo in New Zealand; one of only five in the world, a fully restored 1901 Burrell Steam Locomotive, a large collection of agricultural machinery and two fire engines. Rides available on diesel train carriage, 1901 3/4 size replica Grout cycle car, 1936 Leyland fire engine and/or 1901 Burrell Steam Traction engine. Bookings essential and subject to driver availability. Something for everybody!
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.5
23 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
5
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
lpl51
Sunshine Coast, Australia309 contributions
Oct 2022
We visited this museum on our way from Bay of Islands to west coast of North Island. Unfortunately the weather was very much against us this day – showery, wet and windy. However we were still able to follow the map we were given and check out all the different cottages, buildings and contents. Also the many interesting machinery items. Although not New Zealanders we found the museum and portrayal of the lifestyle of early inhabitants quite informative.
Written 29 October 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.
Grant N
Hastings, New Zealand1,418 contributions
Sep 2022
Called in to see the exhibits - lovely lady in attendance - chatty and enthusiastic. We followed the map we were given and checked out the different cottages and businesses. all good but the best was the building with the video of the NZ Wars (we had just been to Ruapekapeka Pa and the video was very relevant for us. Spent about 2 hours at the village and enjoyed it all - not least the happy lady's chats. We'd recommend it
Written 29 September 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.
brookeyay
Kaikohe, New Zealand86 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Being a local, I have visited the Pioneer Village many times. I enjoyed taking my nephews and nieces there during the school holidays. The activity sheet the kids were given, really added to the experience. They also hold events throughout the year that the entire community look forward to. I highly recommend visiting. You never know what you might see on your next visit.
Written 25 May 2020
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.
Explore786900
Rhoose, UK3 contributions
Mar 2020
The reception desk was attended but unenthusiastic.
The buildings were mostly open but uninspired displays.
There was one worker who was pleasant and informative to talk with.
The buildings were mostly open but uninspired displays.
There was one worker who was pleasant and informative to talk with.
Written 26 March 2020
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.
ThereseJo
Houhora, New Zealand8 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is a wonderful place to visit. The exhibits are informative and relevant. The staff were welcoming. Great coffee and chocolate cake. Well worth the $10/adult entrance. Thank you.
Written 20 January 2020
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.
siddella
High Wycombe, UK28 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Driving from Hokianga to Bay of Islands, we came across a sign for the Pioneer Village Museum in Kaikohe and went to investigate. Despite us having arrived 30 minutes before opening time, the lady in charge made us very welcome and opened all the exhibits for us. We were charmed by the various historic buildings, including a general store-cum-post office, schoolroom, Methodist church, cottage and courtroom, and impressed by the thought and effort that had gone into furnishing them. For those with knowledge of agricultural matters, there were also some interesting examples of machinery.
The establishment of the museum has clearly been a community project and I understand it is staffed entirely by volunteers. I hope it continues to thrive, it provides a valuable insight into the lives of early European settlers in New Zealand and is well worth visiting on your way between the east and west coasts.
The establishment of the museum has clearly been a community project and I understand it is staffed entirely by volunteers. I hope it continues to thrive, it provides a valuable insight into the lives of early European settlers in New Zealand and is well worth visiting on your way between the east and west coasts.
Written 6 January 2020
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.
Thank you for visiting us. Glad you enjoyed your time here :)
Written 13 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jokuku
Tokoroa, New Zealand33 contributions
Apr 2019
The welcome mat to this place was a large lily pond with fish, crossing a little bridge we entered the old Kaikohe Railway station building...what a brilliant little museum, full of lovely old buildings with stories to tell and lovely gardens.
This volunteer run museum is well laid out and has a small gauge railway running on occasions. The lady volunteer that day was a local so we had first hand information about Kaikohe history. The machinery shed was particularly of interest and some of the artefacts very old. Interesting to compare the old with more modern designs. They have open days and school visits etc so the museum is enjoyed by all ages, Nice to have the café on site too. Also on site was a tree nursery which was run by a very informative local Iwi member . The trees and plants were free to a good home. Community members assisted in potting up individual plants. Congratulations to the volunteers, Keep up the good work.
This volunteer run museum is well laid out and has a small gauge railway running on occasions. The lady volunteer that day was a local so we had first hand information about Kaikohe history. The machinery shed was particularly of interest and some of the artefacts very old. Interesting to compare the old with more modern designs. They have open days and school visits etc so the museum is enjoyed by all ages, Nice to have the café on site too. Also on site was a tree nursery which was run by a very informative local Iwi member . The trees and plants were free to a good home. Community members assisted in potting up individual plants. Congratulations to the volunteers, Keep up the good work.
Written 7 August 2019
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.
Thank you for such an awesome review. Glad you enjoyed your visit. Many thanks, PVK :)
Written 8 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maioha
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany674 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
This is especially personal for me as the cottage my mother and her mother were both born in is one of the buildings in the Pioneer Village. It is the Maioha Cottage, which contains many pictures of our family including that of me and my wife. Sally kindly gave me the keys to the protective glass panes so that we could have a closer look in each room.
Written 27 February 2019
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.
Shaeti
Wellington, New Zealand2 contributions
Jan 2019
Desk was unattended, the person running unfriendly and she wouldn’t open any of the buildings other than the church, despite charging us the full entry price.
Written 20 January 2019
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.
we are sorry you did not enjoy your visit, and that our normal welcome and visiting procedures were not adhered to. Should you be in the area again, please feel free to call back and we will do our best to rectify your experience.
Written 22 January 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mythaluk
Greater London, UK75 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
A relaxing place to spend an informative hour about the earlier European buildings in this part of NZ, and items available prior to the 20th century. There is probably more to do at weekends compared to the time I visited.
Written 14 November 2018
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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Claim your listingTHE PIONEER VILLAGE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Pioneer Village
- The Pioneer Village is open:
- Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near The Pioneer Village:
- (0.45 km) Left Bank
- (0.28 km) New Haven Motel
- (0.31 km) Twin Coast Adventures
- (0.55 km) Mid North Motor Inn
- (9.72 km) Paheke
- Restaurants near The Pioneer Village:
- (0.44 km) Mint Cafe & Restaurant
- (0.43 km) Malahi
- (0.41 km) Breaking Bread Cafe
- (0.45 km) The Bank Bar
- (0.43 km) Curry king