Russell Museum

The town of Russell in Northland was one of New Zealand’s earliest European settlements and the Russell Museum houses a fascinating collection covering the early years of European-Maori contact. It is also an interesting store of items covering the history of the Bay of Islands. The museum is in the heart of Russell, next to the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre and close to Christ Church, the country’s oldest church, and Pompallier, the country’s first industrial building.

Exhibits include a 1/5th scale model of Captain Cook’s Endeavour, Maori artifacts, memorabilia and exhibits from the whaling days, famed American author, Zane Grey’s big-game fishing souvenirs, period clothes and many other items. The museum shop specialises in New Zealand treasures and books about Northland. Open every day except Christmas Day.