Whanganui Museum

A cradle of the district's history, a quarter of a million objects are held here, from moa bones, textile and military memorabilia, archives and ephemera to the huge waka, Te mata-o-hoturoa, carved from a single totara.

The 123-year-old museum, like other public buildings in Whanganui, was recently closed for 2 years for earthquake strengthening. A temporary museum was set up in the old post office building and senior curator Libby Sharp says the closure gave staff a chance to reassess and redesign exhibitions, and to appreciate how special the pieces on show are. Watt Street (Queen's Park).

(06) 349 1110, wrm.org.nz