MTG Hawke’s Bay Tai Ahuriri is Napier’s main museum, theatre and art gallery — three connected buildings on Herschell Street, opposite Marine Parade, with free entry every day. The collection includes Taonga Māori, the headline 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake exhibit (currently being relaunched as Shockwave: Hawke’s Bay’s Great Quake 1931), regional fine arts by Rita Angus and others, social history, costume and textiles, and the wider Hawke’s Bay region’s history. Combined with the Century Theatre cinema and live-performance venue, MTG is the cultural anchor of central Napier.
Practical Information
| Address | 9 Herschell Street, Napier (opposite Marine Parade) |
| Hours | Daily 9.30am–5.00pm |
| Cost | Free entry (donations welcome) |
| Includes | Museum collection, gallery exhibitions, Century Theatre (separate ticketing for performances) |
| Buildings | Three connected buildings redeveloped in 2013 |
| Operator | Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust (collection); Napier City Council (facility) |
| Café | On-site café open during museum hours |
| Accessibility | Fully wheelchair accessible |
About MTG Hawke’s Bay
MTG Hawke’s Bay Tai Ahuriri (Museum Theatre Gallery) is the regional museum and gallery for Hawke’s Bay, formerly known as the Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery. The current MTG complex occupies three connected buildings on Herschell Street that were redeveloped and reopened in 2013 — combining the museum collections, gallery exhibition spaces, and the Century Theatre (a 330-seat performance and cinema venue) into a single cultural facility.
The MTG collection is held in trust by the Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust — the official collecting body for the region. The collection spans Taonga Māori, social history, fine arts, costume and textiles, natural history, and a World Cultures collection. Permanent exhibits cover the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake (the deadliest natural disaster in NZ history) and the region’s Māori heritage; rotating exhibitions fill the wider gallery spaces.
Permanent and Changing Exhibitions
| Shockwave (1931 Earthquake) | Headline permanent exhibit on the magnitude 7.8 quake that destroyed Napier in February 1931 and killed 256 people — being relaunched as Shockwave: Hawke’s Bay’s Great Quake 1931 |
| Taonga Māori | Major collection of Ngāti Kahungunu and wider Hawke’s Bay Māori taonga (treasured cultural objects) |
| Fine arts collection | Works by Rita Angus, Roland Hipkins, Jenny Campbell, Avis Higgs, Frank Carpay, Joan Trollope, Walter Bowring and other NZ artists |
| Social history | Regional history from pre-European Māori settlement through European arrival to the post-earthquake rebuild |
| Hidden in History | Trailblazing Women of Hawke’s Bay — stories of 26 regional women who made significant contributions |
| Costume and textiles | Major dress and textile collection from the Hawke’s Bay region |
Visiting MTG
MTG is open every day from 9.30am to 5pm. Entry is free — donations are welcomed but never required. The combined museum, gallery and theatre programme means a visit can be anywhere from 30 minutes (quick browse) to half a day (in-depth visit with theatre performance or film screening). The on-site café is a good lunch or coffee stop.
The Century Theatre at MTG hosts regular live performances, chamber music, talks, film festivals and the MTG Movie Club — see the MTG What’s On page for current programming. Theatre events require separate booking.
What Visitors Often Say
Reviewers consistently rate MTG Hawke’s Bay as the standout regional museum experience in central Napier — the 1931 earthquake permanent exhibit, the substantial Taonga Māori collection, and the free entry get praise across the board. The combination of museum, gallery and the Century Theatre in one complex makes it a substantial cultural anchor for the central city.
The most common practical tip is to time a visit around the Century Theatre programme — film festivals, MTG Movie Club screenings, and chamber music performances pair well with the free museum entry. Allow at least 1.5 hours for the museum alone; the on-site café is a good lunch stop.
Where to Learn More
MTG Hawke’s Bay — official site — current exhibitions, theatre programme, visitor information and news.
Wikipedia — MTG Hawke’s Bay — overview with collection details and historical context.
Napier City Council — MTG Hawke’s Bay — council page covering the facility and its role in the wider Napier civic and cultural infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is MTG Hawke’s Bay?
9 Herschell Street, Napier — opposite Marine Parade in central Napier.
Is entry to MTG Hawke’s Bay free?
Yes — free entry every day. Donations are welcome but not required.
What are MTG Hawke’s Bay opening hours?
Daily 9.30am–5pm.
What does MTG stand for?
Museum Theatre Gallery — the three connected functions of the facility (collection, performance, exhibitions).
What is the 1931 earthquake exhibit at MTG?
The headline permanent exhibit on the magnitude 7.8 Hawke’s Bay earthquake of 3 February 1931 — being relaunched as Shockwave: Hawke’s Bay’s Great Quake 1931.
Does MTG have Māori taonga on display?
Yes — a major Taonga Māori collection covering Ngāti Kahungunu and the wider Hawke’s Bay region.
What is at the Century Theatre at MTG?
A 330-seat theatre and cinema hosting live performances, chamber music, talks, film festivals and the MTG Movie Club.
For more Napier cultural and historical attractions, see the historical and cultural sites hub. The Century Theatre within MTG hosts regular live performances.
