Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum reopens its historic 1929 Grand Foyer and seven more galleries today Thursday 16 October for the first time in five months, welcoming visitors back to WWI Hall of Memories, the much-loved Mataaho Volcanoes, Te Ao Tūroa Māori Natural History galleries, and more.
To mark the occasion, the Museum is celebrating over Labour Weekend from Saturday 25 to Monday 27 October with FREE performances, selected tours, activities and VR experiences for Aucklanders.
The reopening is a major milestone after an unplanned closure in May, when asbestos was discovered in a section of ceiling cavity in the 1929 building. The southern end of the building reopened at the beginning of June. From today, the northern end of the building has reopened, allowing visitors to once again enjoy some of the Museum’s most popular spaces.
Auckland Museum Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive David Reeves says, ‘While our Māori and Pacific Galleries remain closed, we are excited that we can now safely reopen the Grand Foyer and seven galleries, and that’s something worth celebrating. We want Aucklanders to know: yes, we are open and there’s lots to see and do, so come and see us.’
Reeves adds, ‘The best way people can support their Museum is simply by visiting. Entry is always free for Aucklanders, and this celebratory weekend gives everyone a chance to rediscover Auckland Museum and the unique experiences we offer.’
FREE Labour Weekend Activities include:
- Seven reopened galleries, including Volcanoes and Te Ao Tūroa Māori Natural History
- Free Museum Highlights guided tours
- Free VR experience
- Free Māori Cultural Experience
- Free Weekends of Wonder craft activity for tamariki
Free experiences are subject to availability and are only available to book onsite.
Normal admission and ticket charges resume from Tuesday 28 October, noting that general admission to Auckland Museum is always free for Aucklanders.
Northern spaces now open include:
- The Museum’s northern entrance and Grand Foyer, including the 1929 café
- WWI Hall of Memories
- Mataaho Volcanoes, home to the volcano house simulation
- Te Ao Tūroa Māori Natural History
- Te Onemata Ancient Worlds
- Toi Kura The Mackelvie Collection
- Toi Āhia Arts of Asia
- Pou Kanohi New Zealand at War
- Pou Maumahara Memorial Discovery Centre
The Māori Court and Pacific Galleries remain closed while essential remediation continues.
