A vibrant museum connecting the past with the future

Morrinsville
Museum

Te Whare Taonga o Piako

Keeping History Alive

Nau mai haere mai ki te Whare Taonga o Piako -
Welcome to the Morrinsville Museum

Our museum presents a rich history of the district with its artefacts and extensive collection of historic photos.  Exhibitions and displays tell the stories of the development of the town of Morrinsville and the district in exciting and unique ways.

The Morrinsville Historical Society was established in 1967 and two years later the Morrinsville Museum was opened in an c1920 villa in Lorne Street.

 A purpose built museum opened in Canada Street in 2012, providing the community with a new museum that draws people to learn about the history of this growing rural town. 

Exhibitions

Morrinsville Museum have a range of permanent exhibitions that you can explore and learn the important moments in Morrinsville's history.

Displays

Morrinsville Museum have a range of displays that you can explore. These change regularly.
See below for our current displays.

Research

If you are looking for family history, working on a school homework, writing a thesis or an article for a publication, we may have the information you need.



Want to Volunteer at the Morrinsville Museum?

The Museum team of volunteers are involved in various projects ranging from working with the museum collections to meeting and greeting visitors. We are keen to have more volunteers to expand our teams with a view to opening longer hours to cater for visitors over the weekends.


Your Generosity, Our Sustainability

           Secure our legacy.  Add to our endowment fund.

Now is the time to invest in our future. Your donation to our endowment fund will ensure our sustainability for generations to come.


Become a member of the Morrinsville Museum

By becoming a member of the Morrinsville Historical Society, you provide valuable support for the society’s work, receive a monthly newsletter outlining what is happening at the Morrinsville Museum, and you also receive invitations to special events. You also get free entry to the Museum as a member.

Join our Sunday Talks

On the last Sunday of April, June, August and September, members of the Morrinsville Historical Society and the general public are invited to attend a Sunday Talk.  A variety of speakers and presentations about aspects of Morrinsville History is followed by a cup of tea.

Guided Tours

Morrinsville Museum offers guided tours of 30 minutes for our major exhibitions, the McDonald Cottage and Mana Whenua. The cost is $10.00 per person for one tour or $15.00 per person for both tours. You need to book one or both of these tours ahead of time so we can have our volunteers available.

School visits are by negotiation.  If you let us know what you want, together we can develop activities to meet your needs.  The entry fee for the children is a gold coin donation.   If you let us know before you visit with your class, your teachers and parents have free entry.

To book these tours please phone Morrinsville Museum on 07 889 4190.

McDonald Cottage Guided Tour

The McDonald Cottage was built in 1873 at Kiwitahi.  It was donated to the Morrinsville Museum and was moved into Morrinsville in 1972 to the Lorne Street museum site.  Some of the furnishings and articles in the cottage belonged to the McDonald family. 

The cottage has become an integral part of the 2012 building in Canada Street. Be guided through the cottage with a particular focus on the costumed displays which change every so often.  This tour is only available by appointment.

Mana Whenua o Piako Guided Tour

This exhibition is unique to Morrinsville. Nine Kingmakers from 6 generations lived and worked in Morrinsville and all but one of these kingmakers are buried around the base of the statue of King Mahuta at Rukumoana Marae.  Come and hear this important story in  Morrinsville’s history. Available only by appointment.



Sir Edmund Hillary Visits Morrinsville

On September 5th 1955, Sir Edmund Hillary visited Morrinsville as part of the Ross Sea Committee's mission to raise £100,000 for an Antarctic expedition planned for 1956. Members of the committeeRead more

Morrinsville School

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Early Schools in the Morrinsville District

School and district jubilee booklets in the museum reading room are a treasure trove, recording the trials and tribulations of starting schools when the ‘good old days’ were not so easy. Read more

Electric Trucks

Long before electric trucks became a topic of environmental and political debate, the Waitoa Dairy Factory had a fleet of electric trucks. These trucks were manufactured in Chicago in the early partRead more

Dutch Settlers in Morrinsville

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Meet Cecil at the Museum

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Pakarau Settlers

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Morrinsville Methodist Church

A meeting took place on April 17th, 1903, where members agreed to stand loyal to the project of building a church. A following meeting at Annandale formed a committee under the chairmanship of Rev.Read more

Murder in Morrinsville in 1934

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Morrinsville Museum’s Treasures Attract School Groups

Supplied by Joan Jenkin and printed by Morrinsville News in Issue 11,  25 June 2015 Children from Morrinsville Intermediate, Kiwitahi, Springdale, St Joseph’s and David Street schools had theirRead more

The Morrin Brothers and their link to Morrinsville

Supplied by the Morrinsville Museum, published in Morrinsville News, 28 May 2015 It is a common mistake to believe that Thomas and Samuel Morrin were born in Scotland or that both brothers ran theRead more

Howie Park and its Beginnings

Supplied by the Morrinsville Heritage Centre, published in Morrinsville News, 23 April 2015. Mr George Howie was born in Wanganui in 1855 and in December 1910 purchased 86 acres in the eastern partRead more

Need a venue?

We have an event room available for hire at Morrinsville Museum. This can be used for planning days, quiz nights, networking events and more.

Morrinsville Museum

41 Canada Street, Morrinsville (opposite the Public Library)
P. 07 889 4190
E. info@morrinsvillemuseum.org.nz

Opening Hours

  • Monday to Friday from 11.00am to 4.00pm
  • First Saturday of the month open for Morrinsville Market Day from 9.00am to 1.00pm
  • Sunday from 11.00am to 3.00pm.
 

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