Audio guides

Use our audio guides to dive further into the stories of Tāmaki Herenga Waka: Stories of Auckland, deepen your understanding of some of the precious taonga in our care, and see some of the Museum's collections through the lens of LGBTTIQ+ communities. These tours can be completed at your own pace and are accessed from your own smartphone.

Jump to an audio guide

Audio guide frequently asked questions

Dive deeper into Tāmaki Herenga Waka: Stories of Auckland

The stories told in our new Tāmaki Herenga Waka: Stories of Auckland gallery span a vast region and many generations, and there's a lot more to many of them than will fit on a display label.

Available in te reo Māori, English and Chinese Mandarin, this self-guided audio guide is launched from your own smartphone. Our audio guide tours are suitable for children and adults, with a 30- or 60-minute option.

Tours are provided via a web-based app and you will need your own device and headphones.

Queerseum

Launch Audio Guide

Auckland Museum is proud.

Explore our collection with the Auckland Museum Queerseum audio guide, which shines a light on LGBTTIQ+ stories behind our collections. Compiled and recorded by our Rainbow staff, this guide is a celebration of our diversity, and an effort to make queer history visible in our Museum.

This guide takes approximately one hour to complete and contains some mature content that may not be suitable for younger listeners.

If you've used this audio guide before, please note that there are now three new stops in the brand-new Tāmaki Herenga Waka: Stories of Auckland gallery.

Audio guide frequently asked questions

+Why would I pay to see the Highlights Tour if the audio guide is free?

The Highlights Tour is a personalized tour presented by knowledgeable locals and includes the opportunity to ask questions. The Highlights Tour includes objects and galleries of the wider museum, beyond Tāmaki Herenga Waka.

+Can I listen to the audio guide without headphones?

Technically, yes you can. But please keep the volume down and be mindful of other visitors who are enjoying the gallery.

+Why is the Queerseum audio guide only available in English and Chinese-Mandarin? Why is the tour not available in te reo Māori?

This is a pilot tour. The Museum is looking into adding more languages in the future if the demand is high enough.

+Is it possible to purchase headphones at the Museum?

Because there are many different headphones to suit different devices, we no longer sell headphones. Please bring headphones with you.

+Help! I’m having trouble getting the audio guide to work.

Please talk to one of our friendly visitor hosts, who can help you troubleshoot. You can also report problems to the visitor hosts.

+The audio guide has a picture of an object, but I can't see that object on display!

Sometimes the audio guide uses images of objects similar to those on display, not the actual object on display. The images are intended as a guide to help you find the stop, and as an example of the objects being talked about. Sometimes, historical images are used.

+Why does the 30-minute tour skip certain numbers?

To ensure the duration of this tour stays within 30 minutes, it comprises a limited number of objects selected from the 60-minute tour.

New NZSL resource

New Zealand Sign Language Online Hub

Access NZSL videos with more information about many of the displays within our newTāmaki Herenga Waka: Stories of Auckland and Te Whiwhinga the Imaginarium galleries, right from your mobile phone.

Find out more