Museums & Galleries

With a history of tourism and manaakitanga, Rotorua is great place to discover New Zealand’s heritage and traditional Māori culture.
 
The iconic Rotorua Museum, one of New Zealand’s most-photographed buildings, is the starting point for free daily tours of the beautiful Government Gardens. Take in the museum grounds, learn about the interesting history of battles, buildings and the area that was transformed from a wilderness of scrub, hot pools and geysers into an oasis of Victorian charm.
 
Join a tour at Te Puia or Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village to discover a guiding legacy that is more than 200 years old. Many of the guides have grown up in the Valley and are direct descendants of guides who hosted international visitors to the Pink and White Terraces, prior to the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption.
 
The Arts Village is home to more than 30 arts and cultural groups, and provides a venue for many one-off or annual activities with a bustling calendar of exhibitions, floor talks and arts networking events, and a variety of art classes for adults and children.
 
For something a little different discover what life was like in Biblical times at the Bibleworld Museum and Discovery Centre. More than 70 artefacts from Biblical times are on display and you can try on a replica Roman helmet!