Te Aroha & District museum

Presenting the history of our town and district in ways that recognise and explain our shared past, as the foundation of our future

The Te Aroha and District Museum Society Inc presents the history of the district through thousands of artefacts and extensive displays of historic photos; early Maori relics; gold mining days; early settlers; business and development; the Domain; and the town's rich spa history through which the story of Te Aroha, the district and its people is told.

The Museum's home, for the last 54 years, is the Cadman Bath House sitting splendidly at the top of the Domain and along with the other buildings at its side it forms the only complete Edwardian Domain remaining in New Zealand. The Bath House opened in 1898 and was the first building commissioned especially for tourists - Te Aroha is hailed as "the birth place of tourism in New Zealand".

In 1971 the Te Aroha Mayor Henry Skidmore began the Museum. From humble beginnings the Museum has grown to be a vibrant place of interest and is constantly developing both through extending its collection and methods of display. Watch our unique "Taking the Waters" DVD by author Kevin Wells which covers the history of the spa days, and wonderfully narrated by actor Ian Harrop. This DVD is a great place to start your visit.

Comments from our annual Summer Survey:

For a local museum, the best!
Just enough information without being too intense
Gives good idea of former times
Presentation outstanding
It has a big collection of good quality
Excellent DVD re the heritage and history of "Taking the Waters"
The exhibits are all very engaging, reliving the past and embracing history

COME INSIDE...

Take our full immersion virtual reality tour here and get a flavour of what our Museum is all about.

Since filming many displays have already been changed; come and see them when you visit.

TAKE A LOOK ...

Volunteers keep our Museum of interest by constantly adding, refreshing and creating new displays including: the Power display; the Hot Springs; Pioneer Days; Sporting Heroes; Spa History; Honouring our People; our Aviation Story; Elstow Village, Gladys Reid (the "Zinc Lady"). Displays change all the time.

The Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902
On 14 October 1899 war was declared when the British forces moved into Natal. Soldiers from here, including Te Aroha, responded to the call for action.

The New Zealand contingent had abilities and characteristics that set them apart from other nations. This informative display covers New Zealand's first overseas war.

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