Discover the Raglan Museum
From treasured taonga and photographs to fascinating exhibitions about our land, sea, and people, the Raglan Museum offers a place where the past is remembered and celebrated.
The museum’s story began in the 1950s with local farmer Harvey Wright, who opened a small private collection at his home on Wrights Road. Many of his items, later gifted by his son Whit, became the foundation of the museum’s collection.
One of its most significant taonga is the taiaha of Ngāti Māhanga rangatira and Waitangi signatory Wiremu Neera Te Awaitaia. Entrusted to the museum in 1957 by WF Wallis, the grandson of missionary James Wallis who settled in Raglan, its acts as the kaitiaki (guardian) of the people of Raglan and of local history.
In 1966, inspired by the Raglan Old Settlers Association, the Raglan Museum Society was formed. At this time the museum acquired its first item – an antique Waterbury wooden kitchen clock, donated by Coralie Gibbison of Raglan.
Its dedicated committee worked tirelessly to preserve the stories of the community, opening the first public museum in a single room at the Raglan Town Hall in 1970. As the collection grew, so too did the need for space. The museum moved first to the old fire station on Wainui Road, and finally, in 2011, into its purpose-built home.
Today, the Raglan and District Museum is open seven days a week, welcoming locals and visitors to connect with the stories of Whāingaroa. With its ever-growing collection, it continues to honour the people, places, and history that make Raglan unique.