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The museum's permanent and temporary exhibitions feature the rich cultural diversity of Otago's people. Visitors can explore themes of cultural interaction, technological innovation and developments in everyday life as Maori, European and other settlers adapt to changing conditions.

The Kai Tahu Display

The Kai Tahu display tells of Otago's first settlers, the Maori. This exhibition begins with the sale of land to the New Zealand Company in 1844 and explores changes in the Kai Tahu way of life since then. It features ten themes of Maori life including the iwi, food resources, the importance of the land and spiritual life.

Smith Gallery

Nearly a thousand photographic portraits are displayed in the Smith Gallery, part of a total collection of nearly 20,000 photos of settlers and their descendants. The collection is well indexed and staff are happy to locate family photos for the visitor.

The Chinese Display

Chinese immigrants have played an important role in Otago's history since the early gold mining days. The Chinese display tells the fascinating story of Otago Chinese from 1865 onwards, and includes photographs and artifacts from the gold fields.