About

Find out about Petone Settlers Museum's rich history.

Located on the shores of Wellington harbour, the Petone Settlers Museum Te Whare Whakaaro occupies one of New Zealand’s most significant memorial buildings, the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial.

It officially opened on 22 January 1940 and, also serving as a bathing pavilion, it became the heart of Petone’s thriving beach scene.

The building hosts our museum where we collect, care for and share our social history. You can learn about Honiana Te Puni-kokopu and Te Wharepouri - significant ariki (leaders) from the 1800s. Experience the stories of the early European settlers, and learn about some of our local people and communities.

You can also explore the impacts of industrialisation, and the increasing pace of cultural change with stories about local factories, Bodgies and Widgies and local entrepreneurs.