Whakatane Museum and Gallery in Whakatane, Whakatane , New Zealand | Museum

The Museum has displays of the history and environment of the Eastern Bay of Plenty District. As the prime museum of the District our role is to preserve historical objects made or used in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
The Whakatane & District Historical Society launched a building appeal for the museum in 1956 and finally in April 1967 the foundation stone was laid by His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. The Museum opened on 27 February 1972 and soon followed with the extension in 1978, both officially opened by His Worship the Mayor of Whakatane Mr R T Morpeth.
Shortage of storage space and the need for an Art Gallery saw a second extension opened by Her Excellency the Governor General, Dame Catherine Tizard on 4 May 1991.
The Museum has an important collection of Taonga Maori from local tribes tracing their descent from the Mataatua Waka. The Museum is also Trustee of the Kohika Collection. Displays also include local natural history and European items.