Visit a very special museum at the heart of historic Okains Bay on Banks Peninsula gifted to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand by founder Murray Thacker Q.S.M. in 1977. Enjoy the relaxed environment as you learn about life on 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. Colonial pioneering life is shown in displays in the colonial hall. There are also cottages, stables and working smithy, a print shop, many old horse-drawn gigs and carts and a saddlery.