ABOUT THE MUSEUM
ABOUT US
Founded in 1973 and operated by a charitable trust, the Waitomo Caves Museum Society Incorporated not only manages the Discovery Centre but also serves as the community’s information hub. Alongside its museum collections of fossils, photos, moa bones, and Māori artefacts, the Centre provides ticket sales for local caves and activities, educational programmes, retail services, NZ Post, a library, and community facilities
OUR STORY
1973: The Waitomo Caves Museum was founded by local community members and operated for its first years in two rooms inside the historic Waitomo Caves Hotel.
1981: Following generous fundraising, planning, and support — including from the Tourist Hotel Corporation — the museum moved into its purpose-built facility. It was officially opened on 17 October 1981 by then-MP Jim Bolger.
1988: In a landmark gesture of reconciliation, the land on which the museum stands was returned to the Tanetinorau Opataia Whānau Trust, honoring its ancestral connection to the area.
1989: We doubled our exhibition space and added a 50-seat AV theatre — an enhancement unveiled by conservation advocate David Bellamy.
1994: The Education Centre was added, marking the start of our delivery of Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) programmes under a contract with the Ministry of Education.
OUR MISSION
Safeguarding the Waitomo caves’ geological and cultural legacy.
Delivering engaging, hands-on learning experiences that bring curriculum to life and inspire wonder.
Acting as kaitiaki (guardians), guided by Māori values and traditions.Making knowledge accessible — our exhibitions, archives, and learning programmes celebrate both story and science.
We are dedicated to:
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Become a member or make a donation today and help us protect Waitomo’s unique heritage.