Whakamana: the Cannabis Museum of Aotearoa
About This Museum
Tucked away on Beresford Square, Whakamana isn't your typical museum; it's a deeply personal and political journey through Aotearoa's complex relationship with cannabis. It feels more like walking into a passionate collector's archive than a formal institution, where every object tells a story of medicine, prohibition, and culture. The heart of the place beats with a mission to educate and destigmatize, making it a living document of a social movement. You leave not just having seen exhibits, but with a new perspective on the plant's role in our nation's history.
Collection Highlights
You'll find everything from vintage medicinal tins and propaganda posters to intricate glass art and personal testimonies from patients whose lives were changed. One of the most compelling pieces is their collection of historical pharmacy items, showing just how common cannabis was in early New Zealand medicine cabinets before it vanished.
Visitor Information
It's compact but packed, so you can have a really meaningful visit without needing to block out your whole day. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and love to chat—don't be shy about asking questions! Just check their socials for current opening hours before you pop in.
Architecture & Building
Housed in a straightforward, unassuming street-level unit in the city center; the focus is entirely on the powerful stories inside, not on the building itself.
Contact & Location
Address: Hopetoun Alpha, 19, Beresford Square, Newton, Freemans Bay, Auckland, Waitematā, Auckland, 1002, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Phone: +64 27 771 7332
Website: Visit Website
