CHB Museum

In 1986 the Historic Bank of New Zealand building in Waipawa was gifted to the people of Central Hawkes Bay by the District Council to house the museum. The museum was opened to the public in 1988 on an ad hoc basis.

The first items for the museum were collected by the CHB Salvation Army Access Scheme during 1984 – 1985. A meeting was held of interested people wanting to establish an Early Settlers Museum in Central Hawkes Bay.

From the moment you step into the entrance foyer it is as if you have been transported to the mid 1800’s. As your adventure in time begins, corridors to other gallery exhibits and collections beckon. For visitors born around the middle of the twentieth century our displays will certainly be a trip down memory lane.

As you enter the museum your eyes are drawn to Waipawa's main street depicted in the large mural on the wall, portraying the High Street businesses around the turn of the 19th Century.

Wander through an early settler’s cottage with the dining room set for dinner, kitchen where butter was just made, bedroom, nursery and washhouse.

Leaving the cottage enter  “Sam’s Shed” full of old engines, saws and farming equipment.

The exhibition hall built in 2000 is utilised for regular exhibitions and houses a river waka donated by a local farming family.