The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission

Posted by Jayellepi from New Zealand on 4 Jun 2025

arrow_back The Buried Village - Archaeological Site and Museum Admission

Jayellepi said... Our visit was a mix of highs and lows. The standout highlight was definitely the natural surroundings — the walk to the waterfall and back is absolutely incredible and not to be missed. A good level of fitness and mobility is needed as the stairs can be tricky to navigate, but our 4-year-old and 9-year-old managed it well and loved the adventure. The rest of the site, however, is in need of some serious TLC. Many parts are run down and would benefit from cosmetic repair. The lifesize map at the exit of the museum wasn’t functioning (no lights), and the white terrace fountain replica was inactive and covered in green algae. It would also be great to see stronger representation of local Iwi Māori. The narrative is currently centred heavily on the Smith whānau, and the experience would be greatly enriched by local iwi involvement — Māori sharing their own stories, on their own whenua. There was a lovely moment when we were greeted by a cheerful young girl sweeping outside the café — a small but appreciated gesture that made us feel welcome. The playground is quite tired and would benefit from a makeover — fresh bark, updated motifs, and general upkeep. Some areas of grass were noticeably overgrown, which left us wondering whether that was intentional or just a lack of maintenance. With some restoration and a broader, more inclusive cultural lens, this place has real potential to be something special.