Kiwi North: Museum, Kiwi House and Heritage Park

★★★★★ 4.6/5 (6,740 reviews) Excellent

About This Museum

What I adore about Kiwi North is how it beautifully weaves together natural history, cultural heritage, and living creatures all on one sprawling site. You can be admiring a majestic Kauri gum in the museum one moment, and then step outside to explore an original 19th-century Victorian homestead the next. The star residents are, of course, the Northland brown kiwi in their purpose-built nocturnal house—seeing them root around in the leaf litter is just magical. It’s this wonderful, unexpected blend of experiences that makes a visit here so memorable.

Collection Highlights

The museum's collection tells the story of the region, from impressive Māori taonga (treasures) and giant Kauri log sections to historic printing presses. Don't miss the chance to see the geckos and observe the national icon up-close in the Kiwi House. Scattered across the park are heritage buildings you can actually walk through, including the charming Clarke Homestead and Whangārei's original Oruaiti Chapel.

Visitor Information

It's easy to spend a whole day here wandering between the indoor exhibits and the park-like grounds. For a quieter kiwi encounter, try visiting in the afternoon when they tend to be more active. Just head to Maunu on State Highway 14, you really can't miss it.

Architecture & Building

The heritage park is a delightful mix of relocated historic buildings, primarily Victorian-era structures like the Clarke Homestead with its classic New Zealand vernacular style, alongside more modern purpose-built facilities for the kiwi and museum collections.

Contact & Location

Address: Kiwi North, 500, State Highway 14, Maunu, Maungatapere, Whangārei District, Northland, 0179, New Zealand / Aotearoa

Phone: +64 9 438 9630

Website: Visit Website