Free Auckland Museum Tours for International Museum Day

International Museum Day, held every year since 1977 in mid-May, is an opportunity to celebrate the important role museums play in preserving our history, and encouraging an exploration of our future. On Sunday 16 May Auckland Museum marks International Museum Day with free guided tours of the galleries.

The family-friendly tours, by expert guides, are an opportunity to gain an inside knowledge of the collections of New Zealand’s oldest museum. The tours will explore the Maori Court and Maori weaponry, New Zealand art and design, Pacific treasures, birds of New Zealand, war memorial galleries and more. The 45-minutes tours leave every hour between 11am and 3.45pm.

Timetable: Tour Topic:

11am Birds of New Zealand
World War I
Pacific treasures
Visitor requests

12pm Pacific Treasures
World War II
Birds of New Zealand
Aircraft in Auckland Museum
Visitor requests

1pm Origins gallery
Maori Court
Pacific treasures
New Zealand art and design
Maori weapons

2pm Origins gallery
Birds of NZ
World War I
Aircraft in Auckland Museum
Pacific treasures

3pm Pacific treasures
World War
Maori natural history
New Zealand art and design


International Museum Day

International Museum Day has been celebrated all over the world since 1977. It is held each year in Mid-May. Each year, a theme is decided on by the Advisory Committee. The event provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet and interact with museum visitors. The theme for this year is Museums for Social Harmony.

What: International Museum Day Tours
When: Sunday 16 May, 11am-3.45pm
Where: Auckland Museum