The journey began back in the early 1950’s on a farm at Anawhata

From humble beginnings…

Graeme Craw, farmer and earth-moving contractor, founded the collection back in the late 1950’s.

His strong interest in the Industrial Revolution and its beneficial impact on early New Zealand society led him to start preserving the machines and their stories, which came out of this era.

He was one of the first collectors to put together a collection of one make of vehicle, showing its chronological development in design and technology.

The collection encompasses vehicles, machinery and memorabilia from the 19th and 20th centuries including the 1873 Dubs A62 steam engine.

Initially, the collection was housed in sheds that Graeme built at his farm, located at Anawhata, West Auckland.

As the collection grew he needed more shed space and so, purchased the old Montana Winery in Titirangi. Here, Graeme set the collection up as ‘The Packard and Pioneer Museum’ and opened it to the public. However, the Waitakere City Council wanted to add the Anawhata farm into their regional park. So, Graeme sold the farm to the council along with the Montana land and buildings. Then, he purchased Tarai Station at Nukutawhiti (where some of the collection is still housed), and the newer half of the Northern Co-op Dairy Factory at Maungatapere, Northland. As you can imagine the museum took several years to shift out of Montana.

The largest of the buildings purchased was the Dairy Factory’s ghee storage shed – approximately the size of a football field.

Moira, Graeme’s wife and Fenton, one of Graeme’s two sons, remember standing in the middle of the shed and remarking that it would take Graeme years to fill it. Guess what? It was full in about six months.

Graeme started his love of the American manufactured Packard automobile when he purchased ‘CD9,’ a 1924 Packard straight-eight Tourer; ‘A gentleman’s car made by gentlemen’.

Today the collection encompasses around 60 of these outstanding automobiles, covering most models from 1919 to 1958 when Packard ceased production.

At Maungatapere, Graeme took visitors and clubs through the collection by appointment. However after a long illness, Graeme passed away in 2007.

After Graeme’s death the family decided to hire a manager and once again open the collection to the public, as this had been Graeme’s wish.

Today

In late 1991, the museum was registered as a charitable trust, the ‘Anawhata Museum Trust’ (a reference to where the collection first began).

Today, Fenton Craw (son of Graeme & Moira) directs the museum together with his wife, Geraldine Craw.

Both Fenton & Geraldine are very actively involved in the day-to-day running of the museum, with the assistance of a team of volunteers and a board of trustees.

Today the collection encompasses around 60 of the outstanding Packard automobiles, covering most models from 1919 to 1958 when Packard ceased production.

And in addition to the Packards, a collection of British vehicles, classic motorcycles, earth moving machinery and many items that came into use during the Industrial Revolution.

The collection is diverse and offers considerably more than first-time visitors might expect.

Our Mission and Purpose

The Packard Motor Museum provides an informative educational experience based around the automobiles, machinery, stories and lives of those who led the industrial revolution, and created and shaped our modern way of life.

We also honour the legacy of resourceful New Zealanders who developed our Kiwi traditions of ingenuity, adaptation and innovation.

Our purpose is to inspire current generations to create an even greater future for us all.

Support the collection

Without you this collection could not be preserved for future generations.

We rely on donations to support the museum and any contributions received are greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a donation to the Packard Motor Museum please do so via bank deposit.

Our account details are as follows:

The Anawhata Museum Charitable Trust
38-9006-0783537-00

Reference ‘DONATION’

Please email if you have made a donation so we can acknowledge your contribution.

Meet members of the team