Torpedo Bay Navy Museum

Torpedo Bay Navy Museum Welcome to Torpedo Bay, Devonport, home of the Navy Museum. As an island nation, the sea has been crucial to New Zealand for travel, commerce, and defence.

Take a journey through the memories, perils, loss, triumph and humour of the men and women who served - and continue to serve - this country on the ocean waves. And the navy has taken a key role in this country's security and development. Take time to enjoy this unique organisation, its fascinating stories, its courage, comradeship, and commitment as it serves New Zealand now and in the future. Ne

w Zealand residents - Free. International visitors 18+ $15. How to get to the Museum - Torpedo Bay is located at the base of North Head overlooking the Waitemata Harbour, Devonport, Auckland. It is an easy 15-minute walk from Devonport Wharf and is easily accessible by public transport (Devonport ferry). Catch the 807 bus from the Ferry Terminal - there are two stops located within an easy 2-minute walk to the Museum. Torpedo Bay is fully accessible for visitors with restricted mobility. Venue Hire - The Whakatere Conference Room is a unique concept in conference facilities. Located within the Navy Museum at the historic Torpedo Bay in Devonport. Catering menus and room hire rates are available on request. Education Programmes and Group Bookings - Navy Museum offers a diverse range of programmes for schools, teachers and community groups including exhibition tours, free resources and programmes. Bookings are essential. Kids Activities - lots to engage children within the galleries. Holiday activities for children are held each school holiday throughout the year. Cafe - The Torpedo Bay Cafe offers spectacular views over the Waitemata Harbour, central Auckland CBD, providing great coffee and a menu of delicious New Zealand cuisine. Open Mon-Sat 7.30am -4pm, Sun 8am - 4pm and public holidays 8am - 3pm. Store - Art, books and unique souvenirs are available from the Navy Museum store.

Eighty-two years ago, today, the D-Day landings began on the coast of northern France. D-Day, the military term for the ...
05/06/2026

Eighty-two years ago, today, the D-Day landings began on the coast of northern France. D-Day, the military term for the first day of an operation, was the first day of Operation Overlord or the Battle of Normandy, the largest military operation ever attempted and marked the start of the campaign to liberate N**i-occupied north-west Europe.

D-Day involved the simultaneous landing of tens of thousands of troops on five separate beaches in Normandy and would not have been possible without the support of Naval and Air Forces.
Image: APE 022 - caption on reverse states 'Troops from 6 commando going ashore early in the morning D-Day 6/6/44 Ouistreham, Normandy LCIs (landing craft infantry) 516'

From the Collection - class photo of the first class of New Zealand pilot trainees - Fleet Air Arm, 1941. Image: Fleet A...
04/06/2026

From the Collection - class photo of the first class of New Zealand pilot trainees - Fleet Air Arm, 1941.
Image: Fleet Air Arm Collection - AQD 0122

To celebrate World Day, here's an image of a ladies' Hercules bicycle thought to have come from HMNZS Irirangi, the na...
03/06/2026

To celebrate World Day, here's an image of a ladies' Hercules bicycle thought to have come from HMNZS Irirangi, the naval communications station established at Waiouru in 1943. More than 80 women from the WRNZNS were stationed there as telegraphists during .

The bicycle was purchased from a surplus store in Taumarunui in the late 1940s by Mrs Sally McMinn. Bicycles were, and still are, commonly used on naval bases as a way to get around. For several years, Navy standard-issue bicycles were painted red and known as 'Pusser's Red Devils'. Pusser was a corruption of the word 'purser', the person in charge of the money - and also in-house slang for the Navy.

This Hercules bicycle was donated to the museum by Mrs McMinn's son, William in 2015.

On this day in 1916, the Battle of Jutland began. The Battle of Jutland was the only major clash between the British Gra...
30/05/2026

On this day in 1916, the Battle of Jutland began. The Battle of Jutland was the only major clash between the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet during World War One. It occurred in the southern North Sea, off the coast of Denmark's Jutland Peninsula, which gives its name to the battle. It was the pivotal naval battle of the First World War. Following the battle, the British High Seas Fleet emerged twice more into the North Sea, but there was no other major battle and the Royal Navy retained command of the sea.

HMS New Zealand participated in the battle commanded by Captain John Green. Having previously participated unscathed in the other two naval battles of World War One; Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank, HMS New Zealand's X-Turret was hit by a heavy shell during the Battle of Jutland. The chunk of armour plate blown from the barbette of X-Turret is on display at the Navy Museum along with other artefacts relating to the battlecruiser.
Image: ACJ 0344 Admiral Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet in line with accompanying torpedo boat destroyers.
Read more about the Battle of Jutland on our website: https://navymuseum.co.nz/explore/by-themes/world-war-one/battle-of-jutland/

We were saddened to learn this week of the passing of Nancy 'Pat' Clothier, aged 106. Pat was one of the first women to ...
28/05/2026

We were saddened to learn this week of the passing of Nancy 'Pat' Clothier, aged 106. Pat was one of the first women to enlist in the Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service in 1942. She was given the service number 11. Click the link below to read the post from and learn more about Pat's service. The image we're sharing was taken of Pat in Waiouru during her time serving as a telegraphist at the naval radio station in . This image was found in one of the albums currently on display at the museum as part of the 'What a Life' photographic exhibition.
Image: Album 2006.186.111 PO Wren Noeline Fanning and Tony De Courcy 1943-44.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BPXZcaZGy/

in 1959 The Royal New Zealand Navy 1939-1945 Memorial at HMNZS Philomel was unveiled by the then Prime Minister, Sir W...
26/05/2026

in 1959 The Royal New Zealand Navy 1939-1945 Memorial at HMNZS Philomel was unveiled by the then Prime Minister, Sir Walter Nash. The wall and garden commemorate 550 personnel who lost their lives during and have no known grave. The wall underwent a major renovation in 2001 and was unveiled 26 Feb 2002 by HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh

From the : Part of the 81st Motor Launch Flotilla (Fairmiles) on exercises at Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, ca. 194...
25/05/2026

From the : Part of the 81st Motor Launch Flotilla (Fairmiles) on exercises at Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, ca. 1944. The image is one of a series from the Official Collection taken by a US Navy photographer.
Image: OC 102

Our Autumn issue of Te Waka is live. Meet our new director, Kath McGhie, and explore a recent addition to the collection...
24/05/2026

Our Autumn issue of Te Waka is live. Meet our new director, Kath McGhie, and explore a recent addition to the collection - the collection of sailor Ian Grant in Artefact Unpacked. https://bit.ly/TeWakaAutumn2026

On this day in 1944 HMNZS Arabis, a Modified Flower Class Corvette departs Greenock, Scotland arriving in Auckland on 15...
22/05/2026

On this day in 1944 HMNZS Arabis, a Modified Flower Class Corvette departs Greenock, Scotland arriving in Auckland on 15th August, 1944. She served as Senior Officer of the 25th Minesweeping Flotilla at Renard Sound, Solomon Islands. Read about Arabis on our website: https://navymuseum.co.nz/explore/by-collections/ships/arabis/
Image: ABK 0033

Flashback Friday - from the Collection steel helmet with Naval Officers' cap badge painted on front. Worn by CDR W. Minc...
21/05/2026

Flashback Friday - from the Collection steel helmet with Naval Officers' cap badge painted on front. Worn by CDR W. Minchell as Inspector of Naval Ordnance RNZN 1948-74.
Object No: JGC 0001

Our new feature photo shows three Wrens; unfortunately, we don't know their names. Let us know if you recognise one of t...
20/05/2026

Our new feature photo shows three Wrens; unfortunately, we don't know their names. Let us know if you recognise one of the women. Photographed during WW2 by photographer Tudor Collins. Image: 2013.70.2501.

The colder weather has hit and it's a great time to get out your knitting needles and create something to keep you and o...
19/05/2026

The colder weather has hit and it's a great time to get out your knitting needles and create something to keep you and or a loved one as warm as toast. Need some pattern inspiration? Check out the knits those at home were encouraged to create to send to family and friends serving overseas during the Second World War.
Object No: BAU 0022

On this day 84 years ago, 18 May 1942, Ruth Herrick was appointed as director of the newly established Women's Royal New...
18/05/2026

On this day 84 years ago, 18 May 1942, Ruth Herrick was appointed as director of the newly established Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service – initially known as the Women's Royal Naval Service (New Zealand). Having been given a leave of absence from her role as Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides, she took up the appointment on 2 June at the Navy Office in Stout Street. She served as director until December 1946, when the WRNZNS was disbanded.
Image: APD 0002

We're ending the week with a cute pic of a cat. Leading Wren Elizabeth Saunders holding her furry friend in the garden a...
14/05/2026

We're ending the week with a cute pic of a cat. Leading Wren Elizabeth Saunders holding her furry friend in the garden at Elizabeth House c1965. Does anyone remember the cat's name?
Image: GN 65 13054 01

On this day in 1941, HMS Puriri, a minesweeping vessel hit a mine laid by the German Raider Orion and sank off Bream Hea...
13/05/2026

On this day in 1941, HMS Puriri, a minesweeping vessel hit a mine laid by the German Raider Orion and sank off Bream Head. Five of the ships company including the Commanding Officer were lost.
The 26 survivors were rescued by HMS Gale which was luckily close by at the time.
https://navymuseum.co.nz/.../puriri-minesweeping-vessel/
Image: ABN 002

Happy Wednesday - traditionally in some cultures Wednesday is considered the best day to get married - so given it's Wed...
12/05/2026

Happy Wednesday - traditionally in some cultures Wednesday is considered the best day to get married - so given it's Wednesday thought we'd share a great wedding image of a happy couple from our collection: Sub Lieutenant (later Lieutenant) D.G. Francis RNZNVR and his wife Leading Wren Patricia Francis (nee Rowe) on their wedding day 26 February, 1944 outside Holy Trinity Church, Brompton Road, London.
Image: 2006.92.45

To mark International Nurses' Day - 12th May, we're sharing an image of a cape, embroidered with anchors, worn by RNZN H...
12/05/2026

To mark International Nurses' Day - 12th May, we're sharing an image of a cape, embroidered with anchors, worn by RNZN Hospital Matron Christina McDonald. Christina joined the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps in 1943 and was immediately seconded to HMNZS Philomel (Devonport Naval Base). She became the Sister-in-Charge of the brand-new Royal New Zealand Naval Hospital.

In 1946, she reverted to the Army and managed the hospital in Japan for the occupying J Force. She stayed there until 1949, when she returned to Philomel as the Matron of the RNZN Hospital. She left the hospital in 1956. Christina later became the principal Matron of the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps before retiring in 1958.
Object No: 2005.1690.2.1

From the archive, here's a famous face - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa during a visit in 1965 to HMNZS Tamaki with Cherry Raymond,...
12/05/2026

From the archive, here's a famous face - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa during a visit in 1965 to HMNZS Tamaki with Cherry Raymond, a well-known broadcaster/ journalist at the time. Were you at Tamaki when Dame Kiri visited? Image: PN 65 01958 01

Happy Mother's Day! To mark Mother's Day, we thought we'd share Lady Mary and her son Peter's poignant story, written a ...
09/05/2026

Happy Mother's Day! To mark Mother's Day, we thought we'd share Lady Mary and her son Peter's poignant story, written a couple of years ago by Registrar, Hannah. Lieutenant Peter Allen of the Royal Navy's personal collection is one of the largest we look after. His mother, Lady Mary Allen, kept all the letters, telegrams, postcards, drawings, and watercolours he sent during his time in the Royal Navy from 1939 to 1942. https://navymuseum.co.nz/explore/by-collections/artefact-unpacked/to-a-mother-from-a-loving-son/
Object No: 2018.237.27

🌸 Happy Mother’s Day! ...
09/05/2026

🌸 Happy Mother’s Day!
🌸 Left it a little late to get a gift for someone special today?
🌸 Don’t worry - it happens!
🌸 is open 10-5 today and has ALL your gifting needs covered!!

Remembering VE Day - 81 years ago today. Here's a fabulous image of five of the 12 Wrens selected to participate in the ...
08/05/2026

Remembering VE Day - 81 years ago today. Here's a fabulous image of five of the 12 Wrens selected to participate in the Victory Parade, held in London a year later in June 1946 to celebrate the defeat of the Axis powers. Along with the other Commonwealth nations, New Zealand was invited to send a contingent drawn from the three services to march in the Victory Parade. Twelve members of the WRNZNS were included: two officers, five senior rates and five junior rates. This image was taken of the five Wrens from Wellington leaving to join the New Zealand contingent, April 1946.

The Auckland Star at the time reported that the Wrens chosen were selected based on appearance and health. "In the matter of appearance, it was necessary to take height into consideration, so that the girls made a good impression when marching.... Finally, they had to be in perfect physical condition, in view of the hours of marching ahead of them in the Victory Parade."

L-R: Catherine Joan Matthews, nee Williams, possibly Verna Blair? Myna Dodds nee Percival, Bunty Pigott nee Longuet, Nan Barker nee Quirk.
Image: APD 0181

Today is the 81st Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, more commonly known as VE Day, 8 May 1945, when the war against ...
07/05/2026

Today is the 81st Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, more commonly known as VE Day, 8 May 1945, when the war against N**i Germany came to an end in Europe. Just over a year later, in June 1946, a Victory Parade to celebrate the end of the war in Europe and Japan was held in London. RNZN sent a contingent, including 12 Wrens, to participate in the parade.
Image: Victory Parade, London, June 1946. OC 803

From the Official Collection - the launch of Q402, a Fairmile 'B' Class patrol Craft, 18 August 1943. Q402 served in the...
03/05/2026

From the Official Collection - the launch of Q402, a Fairmile 'B' Class patrol Craft, 18 August 1943. Q402 served in the 81st Motor Launch Flotilla that saw service in the Solomon Islands under operational control of the US Navy based at Renard Sound, Russell Islands.
Photographer: John Pascoe Internal Affairs OC 515

Great image from the Official Collection of a group of officers serving in Fairmile's cWW2. Photographer: Tudor Coll...
01/05/2026

Great image from the Official Collection of a group of officers serving in Fairmile's cWW2.
Photographer: Tudor Collins OC 370

Address

64 King Edward Parade Devonport
Auckland
0624

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+6494455186

Website

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