Opening hours
Open daily
10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Entry fee
Adults $10
Residents and children FREE
Saturday 24 January 2026 | Tours every hour from 10am – 1pm
Discover the stories that make Westland great! Join us for the Heritage Summer Series — a celebration of the people, places, and collections that shape our region’s identity. Presented in conjunction with the Hokitika Regent Theatre, Ross Heritage Centre, Seddon Trail, and the Westland Industrial Heritage Park, this summer event highlights the richness of Westland’s museums and heritage sites.
Each session begins with a guided tour of the Hokitika Museum, exploring the exhibitions and taonga that tell the story of Te Tai Poutini. The 11.00am tour continues with a heritage walk through the township, uncovering the landmarks, characters, and events that helped forge Hokitika’s past.
Tour times: 10am, 11am with Town tour, 12pm, and 1pm
Start point: Hokitika Museum, 17 Hamilton Street
Included with Museum Admission – bookings recommended
Bring comfortable shoes, curiosity, and a sense of adventure as we step into the stories of Westland — past and present.
Follow Heritage Hokitika on Facebook for updates on upcoming Heritage Summer Series events and presentations across the district.
15 December 2025 – 17 May 2026 | Gallery 4
“Secure the shadow… ’ere the substance fade, let nature imitate what nature made.”
For nearly thirty years, photographer Benno Thiem (1879–1934) captured the people and places of Hokitika with quiet precision and care. His portraits, studio work, and street scenes document a community shaping its identity on the West Coast in the early 20th century.
Born in Australia, Thiem arrived in Hokitika in 1906 and took over John Tait’s photographic studio on Revell Street. Though a modest, private man, his images preserve the life and character of a town at the edge of the world.
A Quiet Eye brings together original negatives, high-resolution prints, and digital enlargements alongside portraits loaned from the local community, celebrating Hokitika’s photographic past.
Ngā Whakatūranga
Our exhibitions present the diverse histories and cultures of Te Tai Poutini – the West Coast. Each gallery offers a unique perspective on the people and places that have shaped our region.
Our Mana Whenua Gallery shares the stories of Ngāti Waewae and Ngāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio, focusing on the Arahura Land Deed, their connection to this land, and their traditions of whakapapa, tikanga, and pounamu. It also explores how the deed affected their lives and relationship with the land
The West Coast History Gallery traces the region’s journey through exploration, gold rushes, and community life. It tells stories of discovery, resilience, and change — from early surveyors and settlers to the industries and events that shaped life on Te Tai Poutini.
The Temporary Gallery hosts changing exhibitions that highlight local stories, contemporary artists, and national touring shows.
The Children’s Gallery – Te Ara Tamariki through art invites younger visitors to explore West Coast stories through play, creativity, and discovery.
Current Exhibitions
Explore our latest exhibitions celebrating the people, places and histories of Te Tai Poutini - the West Coast.
Featured Exhibtions
What it Takes to Wear Black honours All Black Henry Buckland and his epic 1893 journey to join the All Blacks!
Submit Your Exhibition Proposal
Have an idea for an exhibition?
Submit your proposal.
Rapu i te Kohinga
Hokitika Museum uses EMu, a professional museum cataloguing system, to record and manage its collection. Explore our online database to discover taonga, photographs, and objects that tell the stories of the West Coast. The collection continues to grow as staff and volunteers catalogue and research more of the museum’s treasures.
You can also explore stories behind some of our favourite objects, revealing the people, places, and moments that shaped them.
Rangahau
We hold an excellent range of books, photographs, and archives about the history of our region. The collection is for reference only, but you’re welcome to bring a camera to copy material, or we can scan and copy items for you for a small fee. You can contact us here.
We also offer family research services, assisting visitors to access our collections or carrying out research on their behalf for a small fee.
Our curatorial team researches the provenance, significance, and stories behind objects — connecting them to the people, places, and events that shaped the West Coast. This research supports our exhibitions, publications, and education programmes, enriching the visitor experience and helping future generations understand and appreciate our shared history.
Our researcher team can help you locate information you are looking for and suggest other lines of enquiry.
All you need to do is book an appointment in advance so we can ensure staff and resources available to assist you. Charges apply for all research undertaken. Our charges are detailed here.
Before you visit the Research Centre, check out these online research tools to see what you can find out about the subject or person you are researching.
Rangitaki
Our museum blogs share stories from behind the scenes — from collection discoveries and exhibition insights to local histories and community projects. Written by our staff, Friends of the Museum and Volunteers, each post offers a glimpse into the work that brings Hokitika’s heritage to life.
Kaitūao
Volunteers are at the heart of Hokitika Museum. They help care for our collections, welcome visitors, and share the stories that make our community unique. Volunteering offers a chance to learn new skills, connect with local history, and be part of a friendly team preserving the West Coast’s heritage for future generations.
Welcoming visitors to Hokitika Museum
Where Every Visit Begins
Cataloguing of our collection
Back of House
Caring for collection items
Expertise Care
