Northland’s Kauri Museum, an hour south of Whangārei at Matakohe, has added yet another award to the cupboard, being named the Museum of the Year at the 2026 New Zealand Prestige Awards.
Northland’s Kauri Museum, an hour south of Whangārei at Matakohe, has added yet another award to the cupboard, being named the Museum of the Year at the 2026 New Zealand Prestige Awards.
Much of modern Northland was built on the back of the kauri tree, with its story fascinating generations across the country and the world, and it has seen a Northland museum earn one of the sector’s top honours.
Matakohe’s Kauri Museum has added to agrowing list of accolades by being named Museum of the Year at the 2026 New Zealand Prestige Awards.
It recognises the museum’s cultural leadership, community relevance, and active use as a living heritage institution.
The award is part of the international Prestige Awards programme, with winners selected after shortlisting and assessment by an independent panel of industry expert judges.
Judging draws on submitted information alongside publicly available material, including reviews, testimonials and organisational presence.
The Gum Room at the Kauri Museum, at Matakohe. Photo / NZME
Kauri Museum chair Hinurewa te Hau said the award reflected its evolving role.
“It positions the museum as culturally valuable and socially alive, not just a place to visit once, but a place people return to, engage with, and identify with. For an Asia-luxury readership, that is a very specific kind of recognition.”
General manager of operations Mel Badenhorst acknowledged the collective effort behind the achievement.
“This award reflects the commitment of our team, volunteers and community, and the direction we are taking as an organisation that is actively used, relevant and connected.
“It’s a proud moment for everyone involved.”
A spider encased in centuries-old gum as part of the exhibitions at Matakohe’s Kauri Museum. Photo / NZME
The museum opened in 1962, originally as the Otamatea Pioneer Museum, focusing on the history of the area and the role the kauri tree played in it.
But with thousands of exhibitions, 4500sq m of exhibition halls and galleries, it has grown into so much more and will focus also on the future of the magnificent tree, its survival in the face of kauri dieback disease and other threats.
Marketing officer Tristan Burch said the recognition affirmed the Kauri Museum’s confidence in its story and purpose.
“Being named Museum of the Year reinforces that the Kauri Museum’s values, purpose, and way of working resonate beyond our region. It’s encouraging to see that acknowledged at an international level.”
A giant slab of kauri at the Kauri Museum, at Matakohe. Photo / NZME
He said the story of the kauri tree and its place in the country’s history was fascinating, and it was now important to focus on the future.
“We’ve got to talk about the future of the tree. It’s not just about the history of how we got to here, but also issues like kauri dieback and conservation and where to from now for these amazing trees."
A big part of the criteria for the award was how much visitors enjoyed their visits, and their positive feedback, with the museum scoring very highly.
Burch said these were big factors in the museum’s win, as it seemed to have a “wow factor” that blew people away.
“People are genuinely overwhelmed when they come here for the first time by the sheer size, scale and depth of the museum and its exhibitions.
“The main issue is people not realising just how big we are, and that they need at least two to three hours to really absorb everything.”
One of the many exhibitions at Northland’s multiple award-winning Kauri Museum. Photo / NZME
Planning is underway to implement a new Exit Experience at the museum, which will incorporate a redeveloped Kauri Gum Room, more emphasis on environmental science and kauri dieback prevention, and a Tree of Hope Room with a powerful conservation message.
Burch said the latest award would help spread the museum’s work to a wider audience and help make it a destination, rather than just a stopoff.
The Prestige Awards reach an international audience of more than 100,000 through print and digital publications distributed to subscribers, entrants, and media partners. All winners will be featured in the 2026 New Zealand Prestige Awards publication.
