Collections
We have more than 30,000 taonga/objects in our Visual Arts, Social History, Tangata Whenua and Science collections. The collections contain important taonga from Maaori history from the early years of European settlement to today, including our regional art and history, and national events which impacted upon the region.
Our staff are dedicated to preserving and displaying the region's cultural heritage. By developing the collections on your behalf, we ensure they continue to be relevant for future generations.
Explore our collections online
Explore our collection online.
Browse nearly 13,000 objects, including nationally significant artworks, priceless taonga that reflect our unique Maaori heritage, and social history items reflecting everyday life in the past. Search for items in our collection by colour, date and maker, or find a range of items catalogued by area of expertise – art, history, science and tangata whenua.
You can also search our collection on Ehive
Copyright / terms and conditions
You are welcome to use our website and online collections browser to find out more about the collections and use them for your private study, research or general interest. For information on copyright and use of information please read our Terms and Conditions here.
Contributions to our collection
There are a number of different ways Waikato Museum acquires objects into our collections:
- Purchase
- Gift
- Bequests
- Loan
If you have an item you wish to donate to Waikato Museum's collections, please read about the process of visitor object consideration HERE and fill out a form HERE. You can also contact the Collections and Curatorial Manager with any further enquiries.
Due to the available storage space we have, we need to choose carefully which items can be accepted. Once accepted, a formal process is completed with donation forms to be filled and signed by all parties.
Images (top of page, L-R):
Carved pare (lintel), late 18th century, Collection of Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato.
Top Hat, circa 1860s, Charles Hill (Manufacturer), Collection of Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato.
Old Books, 2006, Gary Tricker, Barry Hopkins Art Trust Collection, courtesy of Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato.
Kootare/ Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta sancta), 1970s, Collection of Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato.