Whakamana Cannabis Museum is New Zealand's first and only cannabis museum. We are in the heart of Auckland's city fringe, a two-minute walk from Karangahape Road, in a stunning heritage building at Beresford Square. We are right next door to the Beresford Square entrance of Karanga-a-Hape Station on the City Rail Link: step off the escalator and you are at our door. Come for the history, the science and the culture, and stay for a chat. Everyone is welcome.
Opening hours
| Wednesday to Friday | 12pm to 6pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | 11am to 5pm |
| Monday and Tuesday | Closed |
We close over the summer break from 21 December to 14 January. Check our Instagram or Facebook for public holiday hours and event nights.
Where we are
19 Beresford Square, Auckland Central 1010
Beresford Square runs off Pitt Street, just below Karangahape Road (K Road). Look for the big heritage church building beside the station entrance.
Getting here
By train: This is the easy way. Karanga-a-Hape Station is right next door. Take the Beresford Square exit, ride New Zealand's longest escalator to the surface, and the museum is in front of you. City Rail Link trains run from 13 September 2026.
By bus: Most K Road and Pitt Street services stop within a couple of minutes' walk.
By car: There is metered street parking on Beresford Square and surrounding streets, and paid parking buildings on K Road and Pitt Street. Evenings and weekends are easier, but with the station next door the train will usually beat it.
Accessibility: The station has lifts to street level at Beresford Square. If you have access needs, get in touch before you come and we will make sure we can look after you.
What to expect
Three main exhibition areas. Cannabis Through the Ages traces the plant from ancient medicine and fibre through to prohibition and the modern medicinal era. Cannabis Science explains the flower, cannabinoids and terpenes and how medicinal cannabis actually works. Cannabis Culture and More covers Aotearoa's own story: the activism, the referendum, and where things are heading.
Plan for 45 minutes to an hour if you want to read everything, less if you are just curious. Our team are on hand to answer questions, and Abe is usually about if you want the long version.
We also have a small, carefully curated shop with dry herb vaporisers, glass and museum merchandise. You can see everything in person before you buy.
For patients
If you hold a current medicinal cannabis prescription, you are welcome to use your 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.
Good to know
- The museum is an education and community organisation. We do not sell cannabis and we do not supply cannabis to visitors.
- Medicinal cannabis is prescription only in New Zealand. If you want to talk to a prescriber, Calyx Clinic operates from the same building.
- Visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Medicinal cannabis is vaporised inside the premises by patients. Our shop sells to adults 18 and over.
- Groups, school and tertiary visits, and media are welcome by arrangement. Contact us to book.
- More questions? See our FAQ.
Events
We host regular community nights, talks, film screenings and events for medicinal cannabis patients. See the Events page or join our newsletter at the bottom of this page to get invitations.