Originally founded in 1852, the Auckland Museum moved to its current location in the Domain in 1929, when it was rebuilt as a war memorial after the losses of World War I. The neoclassical building itself is impressive — it sits at the high end of the Domain with a long approach that gives the whole thing a ceremonial weight.
The exhibits occupy three floors. The ground floor is devoted to Maori culture and the related Polynesian cultures of the Pacific islands, with artifacts and displays that trace the history and traditions of both — including a 25-metre carved waka (war canoe) that is one of the finest in the world. The second floor covers natural history, with an emphasis on New Zealand's unique flora and fauna. The third floor houses the Auckland War Memorial, where the names of soldiers and sailors from the region who died in combat are carved into marble walls.
A koha (donation) of NZ$5 is appreciated for adult admission. Children under 16 are free.