A large new building was opened last week with a special blessing by local iwi at the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa in Waiouru.
The new space is an improved entry for visitors and also home to a large exhibition gallery and council run iSITE.
Marketing manager Nicola Bennett said the new entrance was all about improving visitor experience
"We want a compelling 'meet and greet' space and to improve visitor flow."
The new exhibition gallery is the museum's largest and means there will be more scope to host a wider range of exhibitions and artefacts including large objects, she said.
The next exhibition opening in early December is called Passchendaele - a descent into hell and coincides with the centenary of the Western Front battle during World War I.