What it is
The museum's first exhibition opened in April 1969, the work of collectors John Sinclair and Dr Fred Spurdle, and the Rugby Museum Society of New Zealand that runs it was formed in 1970. Ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup it moved into larger premises next to the city's civic centre, inside Te Manawa.
The collection of around 50,000 items covers equipment, jerseys, caps, trophies, badges, photographs and books, much of it tied to historic matches and players, and the displays trace the game in New Zealand from its 19th-century beginnings to the All Blacks and the women's game, with video and interactive exhibits.
Getting there by bus
Routes 103 (Cloverlea - Hokowhitu) and 106 (James Line - Pioneer Hwy) stop on Pitt Street at 80 Pitt St - City Fitness (stop A113), about 240 metres away, and at 93 Pitt St (stop A112), a walk of three or four minutes.
Routes 101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108 and 302 stop on Fitzherbert Avenue at Kmart (stop A105) and Toyworld (stop A107), about 410 metres away, and route 108 (Clyde Cres - Rugby St) stops at 241 Ferguson St (stop D133), about 480 metres away.
