Auckland War Memorial Museum

About

The museum sits at the top of the Domain, and the building is part of the visit. Three floors, each doing something different. The ground floor holds one of the most significant Māori and Pacific collections anywhere, including the carved meeting house Hotunui and the waka taua Te Toki ā Tāpiri. The middle floor covers New Zealand's natural history, volcanoes included, with a room that simulates an eruption viewed from a Devonport living room. The top floor is the war memorial itself, and it's quieter than the rest of the building for good reason. A Māori cultural performance runs daily in the auditorium. Entry is free for Auckland residents on proof of address, and there's a charge for international visitors. Two hours covers the highlights, half a day if you read the labels. The Domain around it is worth the walk down afterwards.