The New Zealand Rugby Museum’s collection is rich and diverse, and represents the evolution over many years of our nation’s favourite game. It’s not just a rugby enthusiast’s treasure trove; it’s a place the whole family can get a kick out of.
For those wanting to learn about the history of New Zealand rugby and know some early All Black stories, the displays create a timeline that you can follow from the birth of the game to the present. The museum’s collection of artefacts helps tell the tale including the walking stick of Charles Monro, ‘father of New Zealand rugby’. Old film from as far back as 1905 lets visitors see the rugby of yesteryear as your parents and grandparents saw it.
The museum mixes history with high-energy activity . Visitors can measure their speed and tackling skill against local legends Aaron Smith and Aaron Cruden, or see if their kicking boot can measure up to Andrew Mehrtens. Those who want to experience life in the front row can pack down like Keven Mealamu and Charlie Faumuina against the scrum machine. The current record holder is an international rugby prop from Georgia who managed an incredible 498kg.
The big screen plays rugby highlights all day, and can be customised to display games from whatever era is desired. Fancy some Christian Cullen? Or how about some of the mighty Buck Shelford? Visitors need only ask and staff will make it happen.
Don’t leave empty-handed. Thousands of visitors from all over the world have had their photograph taken in front of the gigantic Haka wall, with the All Blacks in the background. Other souvenirs are available in the gift shop.
The game’s at the heart of our culture and history, and the New Zealand Rugby Museum keeps it beating.

Local

Eat and Drink

• Barista cafe - Palmerston North (0.1 miles) - Café by Day, Bistro by Night. Barista is the award-winning iconic Palmerston North café at the fore...
• Table 188 Restaurant - Palmerston North (0.2 miles) - Table 188 is a Small award winning Boutique Eatery in the heart of Palmerston North. We are open for...
• Distinction Palmerston North Hotel and Conference Centre - Palmerston North (0.2 miles) - Distinction Palmerston North's elegant 4-star hotel & conference centre is situated in the hub o...
• Yatai Izakaya Restaurant - Palmerston North (0.8 miles) - This multi-award winning restaurant was established mid 2003 by Atsushi Taniyama and his kiwi wife B...

See and Do

• New Zealand Rugby Museum Palmerston North (0.0 miles) - The New Zealand Rugby Museum’s collection is rich and diverse, and represents the evolution over m...
• The Dark Room Palmerston North (0.1 miles) - Palmerston North’s black-box venue for theatre, music and comedy. We host an open programme of loc...
• ROBERTSON HOLDEN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY Palmerston North (0.2 miles) - Robertson Holden International Speedway Palmerston North Centrally located in the heart of Palmerston...
• Robertson Holden International Speedway Palmerston North (0.2 miles) - New Zealand's award winning speedway track racing most Saturday nights between mid October and t...
• Your Essential Wellbeing Palmerston North (0.7 miles) - When you've been out all day having fun doing the 'tourist adventure thing' or walking r...