Russell Museum Whare Taonga o Kororareka

Russell Museum tells the story of Īpipiri, the eastern Bay of Islands – the first landing site and settlement of the Polynesians. Kororāreka Russell township is NZ’s first town. The Museum documents the earliest years of Māori/European contact, including Capt. James Cook, Du Fresne, and Charles Darwin; Kororareka Russell was where the Northern Wars started with the sacking of the township. There are also artefacts relating to Russell’s 100 years as a port for whaling and trading. A 12-minute DVD outlines Russell’s history. The Museum sells Heritage Trail booklets to encourage visitors to explore the town and its surrounds. The shop specialises in books about the history of the northern region.