Kauri Museum
The Kauri Museum
A museum telling the story of kauri logging and gum digging, with giant kauri planks, antique machinery and what is said to be the world's largest collection of kauri gum.
The Kauri Museum in Matakohe village was founded by locals in 1962 and is the best place to learn about the pioneering history of Northland. The museum recreates a logging camp, a sawmill, a pioneer farmhouse and a gum digger's hut. Its displays include whole giant kauri planks, fine kauri furniture and thousands of amber-coloured pieces of kauri gum (some containing resin fossils), many with insects trapped inside. It is said to be the world's largest collection of its kind. Live demonstrations of steam sawmill machinery are also held. The museum sits at the southern end of the Kauri Coast on State Highway 12, about 1.5 hours' drive from Hokianga, and is often a stop on the way to or from Auckland. It is typically open around 09:00–17:00. Admission is about NZ$30; check the official website for current details.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Kai Iwi Lakes
- Trounson Kauri Park
- Te Matua Ngahere
- Tāne Mahuta
- Wairere Boulders
- Māngungu Mission House
- Rawene
- Kohukohu