Waimate Museum

Waimate’s 1879 Court House now houses the town’s museum and archives. Designed by P.F.M. Burrows, in the Colonial Architect's Office, the classically inspired building is considered one of New Zealand’s finest small town public buildings.

Collections inside include masses of local photographs and archives and:

• Ka Takata Whenua o Waihao display, a peek at pre European Maori life in Waimate.
• The Moa exhibition recaps the discovery of Moa bones in 1895 at Arno (5km South of Waimate on State Highway 82).
• Douglas School, an old country school house, educating children from the Douglas Settlement part of the Waihao Downs Estate from 1912 to 1951. Moved to the Waimate Museum site in 2004.
• Wahine Statue, sculpted by J McDonald (of Wellington) for the New Zealand International Exhibition, held in Christchurch during 1906 & 1907.

Combined with the historic Police Station, Jail and Stable, a pioneer cottage, old country school and other buildings, the entire complex is classified as an historic reserve.