Tairāwhiti Museum

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.

Was expecting more cultural information on past and present Maori activities in area. Some local fabric and art displays in back. Major emphasis on the trappings of the local mayors as the city expanded.

Such a wonderful museum! Amazing setup and displays a significant chunk of our nation's history.

I enjoyed the well exhibited displays - fashion, art and history. I most enjoyed the video of the two old Maori men describing how they experienced a "visitation" from an ancestral canoe which the next day had vanished.

Its been years, feels and looks bigger, Maori, European history section, New section of fabric art not opened yet, I'm not arty but was amazed, the old boat, surf, fishing, waka ama displays.

Thankyou note:
Awesome Job Eloise and 3 staff from the museum came out to Te karaka/Takipu marae to collect precious toanga/photo's of our treasured loved ones after Gabriel, I was at marae helping with scott in restoration process, I had the privilege of taking down my mums and great grandfather photo's for safe keeping/restoration, much appreciated.
Thanks Taha for the karakia, song, blessings of our Wharenui, Ka pai.

We dropped in here and found we had the place to ourselves. An absolute credit to those who set up these amazing displays.
With more time on our hands we will be back to continue our tour and enjoy the exhibit cafe as well.

Points off for the rude lady in the cafe who barked at us 'cash only'!
Museum was good, interesting and educational

Very interesting museum, art gallery, especially liked the old boat that is incorporated into the building. We really enjoyed our visit and would thoroughly recommend it.

Wow haven't been here in years. Only went to meet my daughter and see her non her non school trip and wow so much to look at definitely going back. Receptionist was awesome too

Was in transition of opening new galleries after covid, not much to see but still very enjoyable.

Would have been better if the stories written in the museum were from both sides iwi and pakeha but it is what it is good history lesson for those who need it

The have a very rare collection on at the moment. Captain cooks first Maori artifacts he traded and took back with him to England to present to King George the 3rd.

These photos are the actual artifacts

Very nice museum with a strong Maori presence. We enjoyed the historical pieces and the cultural education we received.

Despite the museum looking small, it packs Maori history, an art gallery, European and Gisborne history. Cost is $5 for non Gizzy residents and free for people from Gisborne. Good solid hour of fun.

The museum has a relaxing cafe with a shaded outdoor deck. A wide range of historical information, some captions were a bit hard to read. The art gallery is very large and makes the visit really worthwhile. Only $5 for non residents.

A really amazing museum. Too much to see in one visit. Well done Tairawhiti and those that created this.

Worth a visit, parking on the street. Really on this visit only went to see display for Maori Battilion - Company C
This was excellent and we'll presented

Fascinating. Large space to wander around and learn from a wide range of different, well-represented displays.
A great way to kill a couple of hours.

Was more than meets the eye from the road, a very interesting and engaging museum, highly recommend

It's a different experience, shows you more about Maori culture. Don't miss Captain James Cook's ship. The receptionist was so good to guide us as we were from Auckland.