The Tairāwhiti Museum is the main cultural institution for the East Coast, covering Maori history, colonial settlement, and the arts of the Tairawhiti region. Its collection includes carved Maori taonga (treasures), textiles, weapons, and works by local artists, along with the bridge and parts of the steamship Star of Canada, which wrecked on Kaiti Beach in 1912 and remains partly visible at low tide.
The revolving exhibition programme means there is usually something fresh on display. This is one of the better regional museums in New Zealand — compact but genuinely engaging, and honest about the difficult early contact history of the area.