• Graeme Craw started the collection in the late 1950’s.

    Initially, the collection was housed in sheds that Graeme built at his farm, located at Anawhata, West Auckland (hence the ‘Anawhata Museum Trust’ signage on Shed 5).

    • We opened here at Maungatāpere in 1991 to groups.

    • And we opened to the general public in 2012.

  • We have 5 large buildings that house most of the collection, with some machinery outside.

    Therefore, some people could easily be here all day – while others choose to call in for a quick look on the way North or South.

    If you want to do more while you’re in the area, or you get peckish, The Office Café is about a 100m walk from the museum and offers a range of fresh cooked food and fabulous coffee.

  • No. Not at all.


    You may walk freely around the Museum and its grounds looking at all the exhibits, taking photos and videos.


    We do have two rules:

    1. Please DO NOT open the bonnets or doors of the vehicles

    2. Please DO NOT climb onto or inside any of the vehicles.

  • The museum is closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

    Watch for website announcements setting out opening times on public holidays and other special days throughout the year.

  • We welcome corporate or social functions and can arrange special events or educational visits.

  • We are happy to open the museum specially for clubs and groups of 10+ people.

    These special tours must be arranged in advance by contacting museum staff on 09 434 8214 or email us.

  • Most of the cars run but not all of them.

    We rarely take the cars out on the public road, as if they were involved in an accident we could never replace them. The insurance premiums would be very expensive.

    For the same reasons, we never hire our cars out for weddings or other functions.

  • We do not have a museum café and we do not permit food or drink to be consumed while people are visiting.

    The next door Office Café provides an excellent range of refreshments and they are currently open Tuesday to Sunday until 3pm.

    Stop there before or after your museum visit for coffee, lunch or afternoon tea.

    Contact Julie on 09 434 8271.

  • Yes! 

    We encourage amateur photography of our exhibits.

    We love to see our visitors’ photos posted on Facebook, Instagram and other social media.

    For serious camera enthusiasts, we offer photo opportunities for groups and individuals. We would love to display your photographs in a special exhibition at the museum. 

    Photography for commercial purposes is by negotiation.

    The Packard Motor Museum retains all relevant copyrights to all our collections.

  • The museum is run by the Anawhata Museum Trust, a registered charitable trust.

    It is not sponsored by the government.

    Our revenue is generated mainly by fundraising and admissions.

    Donations are always gratefully accepted.