Okains Bay Museum.
Museum.
Nau mai, tautī mai. Welcome to the Okains Bay MuseumVisit a very special museum at the heart of historic Kawatea Okains Bay, gifted to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand by founder Murray Thacker Q.S.M. in 1977.You will enjoy the relaxed environment as you learn about life on Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula and Aotearoa New Zealand in former times. Nationally significant taonga Māori and early Pākehā items are among the exciting range of treasures on display in the museum’s diverse complex of heritage buildings.
Our Story.
We welcome all visitors and aim to do everything we can to make sure every visitor has an enjoyable time. A Visitor Host is on hand to assist you during your visit. If you have any particular requirements or access considerations, please get in touch with us before your visit.
- Experience Aotearoa New Zealand history and culture in a unique rural setting.
- Discover our extensive collections housed in a range of replica and relocated heritage buildings.
- View our nationally significant collection of taonga Māori.
- Draw inspiration from the beautiful Okains Bay landscape.
- Enjoy Nights at the Museum in our retro Museum Bach or the bunk-style Grandstand Accommodation, both located on the museum grounds.
Businesses We Facilitated Through Digital Boost
Digital Boost is a completely free government-funded tool to help Kiwi businesses adapt to today and prepare for tomorrow.
Latest Blog Posts
Freshwater National Direction in New Zealand: Navigating Change for People, Economy and Environment
Freshwater National Direction in New ZealandWhy national direction mattersWhat the 2025 consultation was aboutWhat people told the governmentA new policy direction with nuanceWhat this means for communities and businessesLooking ahead Freshwater National Direction in...
Interest rate cycles, economic hype, and the growing fragility of business decision-making
Volatility changes behaviour, not just costsDebt magnifies vulnerability across the economyThe role of banking narratives and opacityShort-term signals crowd out long-term resilienceGlobal uncertainty compounds the problemReframing interest rates as context, not...
How Tourism Is Undermining Destination Survival and Resilience in 2026: A deep evidence-based analysis
1. Degradation of Natural Systems and Loss of Ecological ResilienceTourism as a driver of ecosystem pressureExceeding ecological carrying capacityClimate change amplification2. Social Pressure, Resident Wellbeing and Loss of Social LicenceDeclining quality of...
New Zealand Tourism Outlook 2026-2027: What Official Data Tells Us About the Next 12 Months
IntroductionWhere New Zealand Tourism Stands TodayInternational Visitor Arrivals: Recovery, Not ReboundVisitor Spend Is Outpacing Visitor NumbersAccommodation Data Signals Capacity Pressures, Not ShortagesHow Tourism Demand Is ChangingShifts in Source MarketsPolicy...
Sustainable Tourism in New Zealand: From Global Trends to Regenerative Practice
Introduction: Sustainable Tourism in New Zealand: From Global Trends to Regenerative PracticeGlobal Trends Shaping Sustainable Tourism1. Shift towards responsible and slow travel2. Technology and digital sustainability tools3. Growing importance of carbon-neutral and...