Hokitika Museum
Telling the stories of Westland, the wider West Coast and its people. The museum collection reflects the life of our communities in the extreme and inspiring place that is Te Tai Poutini-West Coast, New Zealand.
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The West Coast’s Oldest Museum
Hokitika’s inaugural museum, established in 1869 within two rooms on the upper floor of the Town Hall on Revell Street, showcased a fascinating array of scientific specimens—stuffed birds, rocks, plants, and a collection of Victorian curiosities.
Fast forward to 1908, and the Museum found a new home in a room within the newly constructed Carnegie Library Building. Library staff operated it intermittently until 1947, when the room was repurposed for Council offices. This led to the dispersal of much of the collection to other museums, while some found refuge in storage.
The ‘Hokitika Pioneer Museum’ emerged in 1960, reopening in the same room with fresh exhibits. Recognising the Carnegie Library Building’s declining condition, Bob Drummond initiated a museum committee in 1952 to secure funds for a purpose-built facility.
In December 1973, the museum found a new abode behind the Carnegie Building, thanks to public subscriptions, service club fundraisers, and a Department of Internal Affairs grant. Renamed the ‘West Coast Historical Museum,’ it operated under a committee with representatives from Westland Borough Council and Westland County Council until their amalgamation in 1989, making the Museum part of the new Westland District Council.
The mid-to-late 1990s witnessed the restoration of the Carnegie Building, led by local community group Heritage Hokitika. Reopened in 1998, it was integrated with the 1970s Museum buildings known as Drummond Hall. This expansion included an i-Site, a community art gallery, and a research centre, providing a comprehensive experience for visitors. In 2011, a rebranding initiative restored the original name—Hokitika Museum—elevating its profile and turning it into a community focal point.
In 2016, seismic assessment woes hit the Carnegie Building, declaring it earthquake-prone. The building closed, prompting museum staff to relocate to new offices on Revell Street. Less than a year later, the Westland Property Company (now Destination Westland) took over management, opening the Carnegie Building to the public with limited displays. They operated the museum for two years while the council secured funding for a multimillion-dollar structural upgrade. In 2020, operational reins returned to the Westland District Council. As of 2021, the Carnegie Building undergoes essential earthquake strengthening, preserving its historical significance for future generations.
Address
District Westland
Street address 17 Hamilton Street
Town Hokitika
Postcode 7842
