Russell Museum

Russell was an established settlement of various Maori tribes. At that time it was named Kororareka and developed from a small Maori village into a shore station for visiting whalers and traders. When the capital was established in Auckland in 1841, the town declined, but over the past 100 years Russel has become the centre of a busy tourist industry focused on fishing, sightseeing, history and heritage.

The Museum displays items that illustrate the town's colourful history: Maori taonga, whaling and game fishing artefacts, and a one fifth scale model of Cook's Endeavour. A twelve minute video describes the history of the town and the museum archives hold a treasure of information.

The museum shop specialises in Northland books and a wide range of gift items.