New Zealand Police Museum

Showcasing and immortalising a true institution of New Zealand society, the New Zealand Police Museum acts as a unique catalogue of this country’s history, drawing visitors from all walks of life.

Situated within the Royal New Zealand Police College, the museum experience begins even before you step in the doors. The path to the museum is flanked by the eye-catching He Toa Taumata Rau – Place of Many Brave Deeds installation, whose panels tell the stories of police and civilians who have been awarded Royal Warrants for Bravery from 1950 to 2019. The museum itself is housed in what was originally a recruit lounge, fronted by an impressive black wrought iron gate from the Taranaki Street Police Station. Inside, you’ll find exhibits chronicling some of the most significant moments in New Zealand police history, from Operation Rugby, the 1981 Springbok tour protests; to Operation Overdue, the story of the Mt Erebus disaster.

On any given day, you’re bound to bump into an eclectic mix of people sharing the space, from school groups solving a mystery or taking photos with the motorcycle to police recruits receiving formal lessons. Whether it’s a sombre history lesson or a fun-filled school excursion, it’s a place that’s open to all, where the past and the present mingle into a truly interactive and immersive experience.

A museum that’s more than an education centre, the New Zealand Police Museum serves as an important reminder of the police’s role in the fabric of New Zealand society. With stories told from the police perspective in a frank and honest manner, an eye-opening experience is on offer to anyone who comes to visit.