Waitaki Museum & Archive

28/05/2026

King's Birthday Weekend, Monday is the official start to Winter and Oamaru is humming with visitors for the Steampunk festival. Steampunk HQ opened in 2011 the old Elevator Building, originally opened as a Grain Store in 1883.

25/05/2026

Guess the object?

Can you shed some light on this or will it leave you agitated? Pop your best guess in the comments below, and as per usual, please try to avoid using Google Lens (unless of course you really can't wait until tomorrow!)

21/05/2026

This week (May 18–24) is Public Works Week. Thank you to all the people working hard to serve our community!

14/05/2026

International Nurses Day was celebrated earlier this week. A big thank you to all the Nurses out there your hard work, you are appreciated. Photographs today are from our Oamaru Mail Collection; names are in the captions.

11/05/2026

Guess the object!

This may be a bit niche but lets give it a go anyway. You know the drill, google lens off, thinking caps on, guesses in the comments!

I will update tomorrow with the answer!

07/05/2026

Road Safety Week this week celebrating our Road Safety Heroes. Today we are sharing from the Archive extracts from 'Care on the Road' an education publication with road safety tips and a Road Safety game both sponsored by local businesses. Have a safe and relaxing weekend.

04/05/2026

Guess the object!

It is that time of the week, the time to turn your google lens off, put your thinking caps on, and try to guess what this object is.

I will update with the answer tomorrow.

01/05/2026

Nothing to do on this fine and sunny Saturday - come along and enjoy the fun, have a look through the newly opened Forrester Gallery Extension. Grab something from the street vendors and relax and enjoy the afternoon and evening entertainment

We’re having a partay and we’re taking it to the street! 🪩✨

Celebrate our new extension, Mahika Kai Mahika Toi, new spaces and new exhibitions with us on the 2nd of May! More info on our line up to come but save the date e hoa mā - we don’t wanna hear about your FOMO - it’s gonna be a good time, so see you there! ✨

.nz .trust

30/04/2026

Today's images are of Service Stations, love the older bowsers with the round tops 🙂
It's the first weekend of the month pop down and see us at the Museum, Archive assistance will be available for researching 10am - 12.30pm, Saturday and Sunday.

30/04/2026

Can you help us uncover (pun intended!) some stories behind this baby blanket?

It has a Oamaru Hospital stamp on it.

We are particularly interested in approximate dates, personal stories or memories (or any photos you may have of your bundle of joy in one!)

Please comment below or send us an email at [email protected]

Many thanks in advance!