Recent Reviews - Tairawhiti Museum

Recent Reviews

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Kelly Gray

22:20 11 Jul 19

Was nice. Good place to learn about the history. Sadly some screens were turned off and some displays were down

Amber Harding

06:13 01 Jul 19

Beautiful local history. Great Artwork from local talent and the awesome boat for kids.

Melanion Hendra

02:26 19 Jun 19

Great museum, with heaps of interesting exhibitions about the history of Tairāwhiti and it's people

Dave Beard

08:25 08 Jun 19

Nice cafe attached. Displays are very informative and user friendly. Small and intimate. Helpful staff.

Stephen Purkis

03:13 01 May 19

Very worthwhile and some of the collections were great. However, falsely advertising "free" entry. Upon entering we found that the free entry is only for locals. Tourists needed to pay. Pretty poor form we thought.

Sarah L

06:02 23 Apr 19

Good museum with a nice amount of history and art - the collection of photographs and the lalique vases were the main high points for me. Worth the $5 entry for non locals.

Christina Scott

04:16 18 Apr 19

Great local history. Loved the Star of Canada.

Martin Rust

05:59 12 Apr 19

Absolute gem of a museum, well laid out and very interesting displays both historical and contemporary.

Marty Pilott

03:12 06 Apr 19

This is a very impressive museum. It is well curated with a quality art collection, a large part of an old ship to look inside, Maori history, and local history and artifacts. Strongly recommended!

Ray Jensen

19:21 01 Mar 19

Warm, friendly staff. Good art exhibition. Good maritime exhibition.

Shane Auckram

06:19 17 Feb 19

Definitely a place to visit. All museums offer a touch of their home town. History is a great learning tool. It teaches respect for those who were born there.

Erin Pincock

04:04 23 Jan 19

Really enjoyed the art and always enjoy seeing the Star of Canada and Wylie Cottage(still get as excited as I did when I was a kid)

Chris Thompson

04:22 20 Jan 19

The Tairãhiti Museum is worth taking the time to absorb what is on show, many displayed items that are of great historical information. Don't miss the boat at the bottom of the stairs. The fit will enjoy climbing up to the top deck.

Lee-Ora Lusis

08:56 13 Jan 19

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. For a small museum it had alot to offer. Both from a gallery point of view as well as its local history. The C company exhibit (in a separate building) was excellent. Un fortunately we had arrived 15 mins before closing time...it is a wonderful memorial for those brave men. The Wyllie Cottage was also very interesting.

luke oldfield

09:33 06 Jan 19

Excellent C company display (Maori batallion) adjoins the museum, which is free. Museum itself is a great place to visit, excellent and timely displays on the history of Aotearoa / NZ.Only major drag was an internal sliding door toward the back which screeched on opening, it just lowered the mood of the place, just remove the bloody thing!Otherwise, Ka pai.

Peter Cowley

04:52 06 Jan 19

I visited Wylie cottage and it was a fascinating glimpse of early Gisborne history. A video presentation and various informative displays kept me there for over an hour and it really needed another hour to do it justice.I will go back another time to see what i missed as there was so much i didn't know.

Evelyn Fickling

05:20 05 Jan 19

Interesting historical details of the area. Well presented.

Luca van Gorkom

05:37 16 Dec 18

Plenty of information and interesting things. Lots of hidden exhibits though, worth checking out, but hard to find down hidden passages. They need more signage! Also a pity they only open for 2.5 hours on sunday after 1:30. All other times they're open from 10 until 4.

Gaelene Burton

00:39 13 Dec 18

A great museum loads of memories, very relaxing, and lovely food in the restaurant

Louise Sutherland

02:23 25 Nov 18

Good art work and some of the historical things! Like the little house outside most of all!

Lisa Settle

06:28 08 Nov 18

Larger than I thought. The mock-up of the ship stern was incredible! Many other Maori exhibits we're well done and beautiful. Definitely takes a few hours, at least.

Michelle A

00:52 02 Nov 18

Fabulous museum and art gallery. Free for residents and $5 for visitors. Changing exhibitions and greatocal historical items. Loved the inclusion of local artists mad ideas. A must see if visiting Gisborne.

Karrie Roberts

02:16 09 Oct 18

Outstanding! Nice local touch. Very reasonable price.

Glennis Rickard

13:42 05 Oct 18

Wonderful place staff so helpful and pleasant 😀

Jason Borell

01:16 27 Sep 18

A great place to visit & see the many who sacrificed their lives for king & country..

Noeline Proffit

02:49 20 Sep 18

Amazing asset for Gisborne. Fabulous exhibitions. Great customer care. Many thanks to all concerned

Daniel Diack

16:03 16 Jul 18

Great little museum with a few great surprises.....loved the surfing tribute ...steam boat ....and lots of Maori history ....great afternoon with the kids

Peter Harris

18:57 03 Jul 18

Small but good. Nice Gallery and shop attached.

John Skinner

00:33 05 Jun 18

Very well laid out museum. No lack of information

Helen Costello

01:56 03 May 18

Fascinating exhibitions. Well run children's school holiday workshops

Charlotte Lemay

08:33 28 Apr 18

Bigger museum than I expected. You get a lot for your money (5$ for visitor).There is a good exposition about the Maori story, one about Da Vinci, some modern art and a boat.Well located, beautiful view of the river.

Clarke Redshaw

20:22 23 Apr 18

Much better than you may expect from a 'smaller' museum. Excellent content and the Da Vinci section is a must see

Karen Cheer

08:34 27 Mar 18

An excellent place to learn about the area. Well presented displays. Loved that the daVinci exhibit was there too

Survey Gisborne Limited

08:18 17 Mar 18

A must place to visit and spend time. Nice cafe too.

Renee Miller

21:56 14 Mar 18

Nice museum about the region. Definitely a good dose of culture for an afternoon in Gisborne.

Winston Seah

10:04 04 Feb 18

On the whole it's ok but historical showcase was rather shallow instead beautiful art & craft were displayed for sale.

Paul Kaua

03:09 25 Jan 18

Pleasing visit and excellent customer service particularly by Mrs Taipana who was fantastic when relating to the history of the area

  Don't be put of by the outside. This museum and gallery is amazing. Only $5 for an adult. The art work is for sale and not overly expensive. Lovely cafe inside as well.

Elle_knz
1/17/2018

  The permanent exhibition was quite interesting, but a bit convoluted and with far too much required to be read. The marine exhibition downstairs was very good. The "art" was awful and best left unsaid! The B Company gallery next door is very evocative and moving,...More

Rick M
6/24/2019

  A surprisingly large museum, with lots of diverse exhibits many of which change regularly. For example, when we visited there was a fascinating display of Maori basket weavings. I also really liked the Decorative Arts Gallery. But best of all was the "Star of Canada,"...More

Marla H
1/26/2018

  Loved the C Company exhibition, which is in a separate building just outside the museum entrance. This is a moving exhibit depicting the young Māori men from the region who have fought/died with the NZ Armed forces. The museum is great, and very specific to...More

AdrienneHannan
12/21/2017

  The staff were friendly and really helpful. The layout was a little strange but fun. The Display were amazing

cliftonpcra
3/22/2018

  This was a great place and the exhibits are wonderful. Had lunch at the Café, food was lovely and service great.

suekeith2016
4/24/2018

  Spent a hour or so on Saturday morning after the farmers market wandering through the museum. Had really good local history, as well as some great local artists. Highlight for me was the Star of Canada ship that stands proudly over the waters edge. You...More

KeithB3196
1/14/2019

  While cramped in the corner the outside area was pleasant and I loved the bargains for sale next to the coffee area. I would not want to bring my toddler there is too much to touch while I'm trying to relax with a coffee. Customer...More

232annettet
2/02/2018

  Not keen on the artistic stuff as I find the descriptions of why they do what they do precious and pretentious. You either like it it not. But the artifacts and history of the people and places tell you something about where you are and...More

Mike T
1/19/2018

  We were lost for something to do on a wet day and decided that the museum was worth a visit. We are so glad we did. The separate C Company exhibition telling the history of the Maori’s who enlisted in the army and fought in...More

neil1342014
1/05/2018

  As with all museums in NZ there is a big focus on the Maori heritage and history. It is across the river from the main town and not that easy to find. It was well laid out but its not very big. There's a nice...More

Hairyhenry
4/02/2019

  Well worth a visit ... excellent local history and current exhibitions too. Could spend more time here easily

HeatherH3808
3/01/2019

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