Straight answers to the questions we get asked most. If yours isn't here, get in touch.
About the museum
What is Whakamana Cannabis Museum?
Whakamana Cannabis Museum is New Zealand's first and only cannabis museum. It was founded in Dunedin in 2013 by Abe Gray and has been based in Auckland since 2024. It is an education and community organisation with exhibits on cannabis history, science and culture in Aotearoa, plus a small curated shop.
Where is the cannabis museum in Auckland?
19 Beresford Square, Auckland Central 1010, in a heritage church building just off Karangahape Road (K Road). We are right next door to the Beresford Square entrance of Karanga-a-Hape Station and a short walk from the K Road bus stops.
How do I get there by train?
Take any City Rail Link train to Karanga-a-Hape Station and leave by the Beresford Square exit. The escalator brings you up onto the square and the museum is right there. Trains run from 13 September 2026. The station has lifts as well as escalators.
What are the opening hours?
Wednesday to Friday 12pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday, and closed over summer from 21 December to 14 January.
How much does it cost to visit?
Entry is free.
Does the museum sell cannabis?
No. Whakamana has never sold cannabis. The shop sells dry herb vaporisers, glass, accessories and museum merchandise. Medicinal cannabis in New Zealand is available only by prescription from a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacy.
Can I consume cannabis at the museum?
If you hold a current medicinal cannabis prescription, yes. Patients are welcome to use their own prescribed medicine at our device tables, where high-end vaporisers are set up and ready to go. You don't need to bring a device: ball vapes, hybrid Volcanos and more are available to hire for $10 per person for two hours. Bring your medicine and your prescription or pharmacy label. We cannot supply cannabis.
Can I bring children?
Visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Medicinal cannabis is vaporised inside the premises by patients, so please keep that in mind when deciding whether to bring younger children. The shop sells only to adults 18 and over.
How long does a visit take?
About 45 minutes to an hour if you read everything. Staff are on hand to answer questions.
Is there parking?
Metered street parking on Beresford Square and nearby streets, and paid parking buildings on K Road and Pitt Street. Evenings and weekends are easier. With the station next door, the train is usually the simpler option.
Who is Abe Gray?
Abe Gray is the founder of Whakamana Cannabis Museum. Born in Minneapolis, he moved to New Zealand and taught at the University of Otago for over a decade before opening the museum in 2013. He has been a cannabis law reform advocate for more than two decades and was a prominent voice in the 2020 referendum campaign.
Medicinal cannabis in New Zealand
Is cannabis legal in New Zealand?
Recreational cannabis is illegal in New Zealand. A 2020 referendum to legalise it was narrowly defeated. Medicinal cannabis has been legal by prescription since the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme launched in April 2020.
How do I get a medicinal cannabis prescription in NZ?
Any New Zealand doctor can prescribe medicinal cannabis. Most patients use a specialist telehealth clinic. Calyx Club operates from the same building as the museum. The prescription is dispensed by a pharmacy, not by the museum.
Can I use a vaporiser for prescribed cannabis flower?
Yes. Vaporising is the standard way to use prescribed dried flower. It heats the flower without burning it. Some devices, such as the Oleo Panacea and G Pen Elite II, are certified medical devices listed on New Zealand's WAND register.
Are vaporisers legal to buy in New Zealand?
Yes. Dry herb vaporisers are legal to buy and sell in New Zealand. Whakamana sells them in store and online to adults 18 and over.
The shop
What does the museum shop sell?
Dry herb vaporisers (Oleo Panacea, G Pen Elite II, DynaVap, XMAX, Auxo), glass bubblers made for vaporisers, induction heaters, grinders, rosin press consumables, a gummy-making kit, and embroidered Whakamana merchandise.
Do you ship?
Yes, anywhere in New Zealand. You can also see everything in person at the museum before you buy.
Which vaporiser should I buy?
It depends on how you use it. For a certified medical device, the Oleo Panacea is the value pick and the G Pen Elite II is the premium one. For a battery-free, pocketable option, DynaVap. For a cheap electronic starter, the XMAX Starry 4. Come in and ask, or browse the range.