The New Zealand Rugby museum in Palmerston North is the first museum in the world to be devoted to rugby. The museum sets forth the legends and history of the game in the country and focuses on homegrown heroes of the game. Learn how the game is played in New Zealand and how it was shaped by the land. See the first rugby jersey with the fern emblem, the oldest rugby ball and even the boots of All Black star Don Carter. Have fun by testing your rugby skills with interactive games.

The museum exhibits comprise of 37,000 items including equipment, clothing, badges, footwear, scrap books, photographs, a rare copy of the first New Zealand rugby anthem On the Ball, one of four caps in existence of the 1888 / 89 tour of the UK, personal items of Charles Monro who pioneered the game in New Zealand, match programs starting from the 1880s, the first Maori rugby instruction manual and even the stuffed remains of a kiwi bird, the first mascot. The extensive library on the premises has information on all aspects of the game backed up by a collection of newspaper clippings from around the world. Learn all there is it to know about New Zealand’s favourite team the All Blacks from the searchable extensive database on the team. There is data on all the players who have played for the team including the current ones, information on all the matches played by the All Blacks, covers of souvenirs of all the matches played and information on Black Fern members, the All Blacks women’s team. Only a part of the collection is on view while some part of it is in storage and others are leant to similar organizations in New Zealand and overseas for temporary display. The museum is popular with the media who use the archives for research. This self funding organization is kept alive by donations, sale of souvenirs, admission fees, research fees and grants from the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New Zealand is one of the largest hotel operators in the country with twenty properties located in urban and holiday destinations. As one of the prominent hotels in Palmerston North it provides an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area. Have access to the diverse attractions of the country by staying at these great New Zealand hotels

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
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