Ōtorohanga Museum

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Ōtorohanga Museum OPEN THURS. FRI. SAT. 12pm-3pm. Donations:
Otorohanga Historical Society
02-0392-0018348-000

FREE ENTRY
Local museum - 4 historic buildings (1913 courthouse, 1897 lockup & police station, 1909 church) & 'Te Waonui o Tãne', with Maori artifacts & waka.

A rare photo of the three great Maniapoto chiefs, Taonui Hikaka II, Rewi Maniapoto & Te Wahanui Reihana Te Huatare toget...
23/07/2026

A rare photo of the three great Maniapoto chiefs, Taonui Hikaka II, Rewi Maniapoto & Te Wahanui Reihana Te Huatare together at the "Turning of the Sod" ceremony near the Pūniu River, south of Te Awamutu on 15 April 1885.
The official ceremony signaled the start of the construction of the North Island Main Trunk Line through the King Country (Te Rohe Pōtae).
Local papers at the time reported:
“On 15 April 1885 the first sod of the central section of the main trunk was turned [by Wahanui and] scooped into the ornamental barrow – emblazoned with portraits of
North American Indians, in default of Maoris; – and the soil was wheeled off and dumped by the premier {Sir Robert Stout]. The sods were whisked away by souvenir
hunters.”

(Sir Robert Stout is standing to the right of Wahanui).

Isaac family (& friends) early 1900s.BACK - Dan Hickey & Mrs. MooreFRONT Mr. Hannah Isaac, Rosie Isaac, Mrs. Hallaby Isa...
15/07/2026

Isaac family (& friends) early 1900s.

BACK - Dan Hickey & Mrs. Moore
FRONT Mr. Hannah Isaac, Rosie Isaac, Mrs. Hallaby Isaac, Ruffa Isaac.

Mr. Hannah Isaac bought a section on the corner of Maniapoto Street & Tuhoro Street (the current location of the Ōtorohanga Elevate Information Centre) in 1904. He had emigrated from Lebanon and went on to build a successful business with his wife Hallaby.

Hannah & Hallaby Isaac and their daughters, Ruffa and Rosie Tristram (née Isaac) are buried in an impressive mausoleum in the Ōtorohanga Cemetery.

OPEN Matariki WeekendCome to the museum Friday & Saturday between 12-3pm.Children can have a go at creating a Matariki a...
09/07/2026

OPEN Matariki Weekend

Come to the museum Friday & Saturday between 12-3pm.

Children can have a go at creating a Matariki artwork or decorating a star for the museum with images of what you are grateful for as the appearance of Matariki heralds a time of remembrance, joy and peace.

Come and celebrate with the Ōtorohanga Museum

Farmers Trading Co. in Ōtorohanga c. 1937BACK ROW (left-right) George Munro, Iris Corboy, Mr. Saunders (manager) Bob Fun...
05/07/2026

Farmers Trading Co. in Ōtorohanga c. 1937

BACK ROW (left-right) George Munro, Iris Corboy, Mr. Saunders (manager) Bob Funnell, Len Lee, George Barclay, Percy Nightingale, Colin Hunter, Pop Hunter, Ken Liddy.

FRONT ROW (left-right) Amy Hall, Kath McKracken, Pat Meehan, Percy Rowe (past manager) Kath Holmes, Lena Millward, Mavis Lee, Hec Falkner.

In 1896 Messrs. Green & Colebrook opened "Green & Colebrook Universal Providers" on the corner of Tuhoro Street and Man...
27/06/2026

In 1896 Messrs. Green & Colebrook opened "Green & Colebrook Universal Providers" on the corner of Tuhoro Street and Maniapoto Street, Ōtorohanga. It continued to trade under that name until 1919, when it was taken over by the Farmers Trading Co.

The second photo from c. 1921 shows the business under new management. (Today, that building has been replaced by the Appliance Plus store.)

27/06/2026

For your viewing pleasure!
The Seven Sharp feature on the 40th anniversary of Harrodsville in Ōtorohanga!

Today we had the privilege of meeting Dr. Rangi Te Kanawa, textile conservator and expert in Māori textiles. Rangi is ad...
22/06/2026

Today we had the privilege of meeting Dr. Rangi Te Kanawa, textile conservator and expert in Māori textiles. Rangi is advising us on the care and preservation of several very special piupiu and kete in the Ōtorohanga Museum collection.

Just after the 13th February flooding of Te Waonui o Tāne we received a message from Toby Tahi Davis of Tahi Transport ...
16/06/2026

Just after the 13th February flooding of Te Waonui o Tāne we received a message from Toby Tahi Davis of Tahi Transport offering free transport for anything we might need sent down from Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

Today Tahi Transport delivered new display cases for some of our taonga.
Toby Tahi Davis (Ngati Maniapoto) thank you!

The celebrities just kept rolling in!Seen here is the Mayor and his lovely other half conversing with the museum curato...
13/06/2026

The celebrities just kept rolling in!

Seen here is the Mayor and his lovely other half conversing with the museum curator.

Thank you to all travellers and locals who called in to see the displays today. There were many memories shared, positive vibes and delicious cookies.

Address

15 Kakamutu Road
Otorohanga
3900

Opening Hours

Thursday 12pm - 3pm
Friday 12pm - 3pm
Saturday 12pm - 3pm

Telephone

+6478736084

Website

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