hokitika museum

Good audio visual interviews and presentation of the history of west coast settlement, the gold rush and whitebait fishing!

Enjoyed the history of the links to the gold and coal mining in Hokitika. There was also a display celebrating the 150 year anniversary of the township that was occurring during the weekend of our visit.

Thoroughly enjoyed the audio visual!! Great insight into the history of the area, would totally recommend visiting!!

What. a gorgeous little museum. Well curated, and maintained, and a great set up for the kids, who raced around doing a quiz, and having a ball. Added bonus of a small art exhibition there also. A really great place to stop in at on your travels.

Liked the audio visual presentations of the history of the area. Would have liked a map to show the relationship between the old photos and the local area and what changes there had been.

Well laid out lots of accessible information, good presentation.Hokitika has a fascinating history especially from its gold days and this little museum staffed by volunteers evokes that history very well.

Such an amazing reference source, social history statement & family history background research starting point. I am so glad I paid a visit. Thanx to Carnegie we have a valuable resource both with its original intent & as a fabulous resource now!

We thought we'd check it out as it had such good reviews and it was worth it. The host was wonderful to deal with and stories of the past in the meusem are really interesting. The 20 minute movie is worth the watch. Glad we stopped in to check it out.

All you needed to know about the West Coast is in here. Brilliant little museum indeed.The joint was founded on gold and there is plenty to learn in here.Interesting White Bait exhibition as well.Git me blowed what they see in White Bait but every one eats it around here.

This wee museum is a veritable jewel in the heart of Hokitika. We were both kept interested with the content and displays of the snapshot of life and history of the local area of Hokitika. Displays of artefacts and videos from the gold mining era. Also a huge example of a horse drawn carriage which was the only form of transport in the 1800's. A set of displays showing an example of the type of furniture in a typical bedroom of that era. A half size replica of a hut used by a local gold miner. Photographs of whitbaiting and the local community enjoying whitebait season through the years. The staff are very pleasant and there is a small gift shop. It is a tiny museum but very lovely. I also lived the example of a stained glass window from the old hospital showing Captain Duck and the Mice shipmates. Very sweet. A good couple of hours on a rainy day. Lots of valuable history of the lovely Hokitika area.

This review is for the National Kiwi Centre in Hokitika rather than Hokitika Museum.

This is a regional museum in an impressive building. For a small admission fee the displays were interesting and well presented. You don't need to allow long to look through but it is worth seeing.

Enjoyed the displays in the Hokitika Museum - very interesting to get a good picture of the past. Impressed with the renovation of the historic building.

I had some exhibits which I wished to donate to this museum; exhibits involving the Stanley Graham murder of police and home guards many years ago, being of particular interest to such area. After a telephone consultation my wife and I travelled from Christchurch to Hokitika where I handed over the material. Staff there are most courteous, professional yet friendly. Clearly this is a well-organised attraction. We then went exploring the museum. I am not much of a fan of museums but this one was simply amazing. I had expected a small building with a few local exhibits; it wasn't! It even had a full sized stage coach on display The feature on whitebaiting alone was simply first class. My wife and I spent an hour there and could easily have spent more time but still had the long trip back home. I strongly recommend this museum to any traveller, from overseas or New Zealand.

Great museum that gives you a real insight into the history of Hokitika and the surrounding area. Small entry fee, but worth the money as it was a very well constructed museum considering its size. Loved the NZ radio exhibition with the sound clips of important events and icons. Interesting reconstructions of huts and bars to get the gold rush Hokitika atmosphere!