See and Do

Museum of Te Wairoa


The museum is home to a valuable collection of Victoriana and other specific relics of the Tarawera eruption.

Through years of continued excavation our displays show a range of items recovered from the post eruption ruins of Te Wairoa. The museum wing gives visitors a unique view of the devastation and how that fateful night in 1886 changed lives and the landscape forever.

Displays in the museum are designed around themes that record significant parts of the devastating eruption in 1886, as well as showing how Maori and European cultures were integrated during an important phase in New Zealands social development.

When you combine the informational aspect of the museum visit with the up-close and personal archaeological walk, the relics of Te Wairoa leave a lasting effect on the viewer.

Award winning culture and heritage attraction

The Buried Village received the Tourism Innovator Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards in 2001/2002. This award was received as a culture and heritage attraction in recognition of the world-class methods and ideas used to interpret heritage within the Museum of Te Wairoa, and throughout the excavated archaeological site.

Geological Treasures
Geological Treasures

Learn about the Geological Treasures hidden beneath the lake – that is, the Pink and White Terraces. Thought destroyed and lost forever in the eruption, recent scientific research has re-discovered parts of the terraces in the depths of Lake...

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Te Wairoa - The Model Village
Te Wairoa - The Model Village

Historic references refer to Te Wairoa as a model Maori village. It's layout, dictated by Spencer, was based on the English village plan recommended by the Reverend Samuel Marsden. The whares or houses were laid out in streets, each having their...

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Edwin Bainbridge
Edwin Bainbridge

Edwin Armstrong Bainbridge was the heir of Eschott Hall, Felton, Northumberland. He was born on May 5th 1866, the second son of Cuthbert Bainbridge of Newcastle-on-Tyne, who was one of the most prominent members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Bainbridge...

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Relics
Relics

The museum is house to the increasingly valuable collections of Victoriana and other relics of the Tarawera eruption. Displays of materials recovered over a century from the ruins of Te Wairoa are contained in the special museum wing at the entrance to the...

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Plan your Visit

Ways to Tour

Kids Activities

Certificate of Excellence

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