Last updated June 2026
Discover the unique TSB Bank Bowls New Zealand Museum in New Plymouth, the only registered museum in the world dedicated to lawn bowls. This specialist collection preserves the sport’s heritage through thousands of artifacts and records focused on New Zealand bowls activity since 1890. Set in Dean Park with views of Mount Taranaki, the museum sits beside the historic New Plymouth Bowling Club and offers visitors a focused look at the game’s development and community role. It operates on limited days with entry by gold coin donation and welcomes researchers and enthusiasts interested in sporting history.
Practical Information
| Address | Dean Park, 157 Brooklands Road, New Plymouth |
| Opening hours | Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 10am–2:30pm (extended hours during Taranaki Open) |
| Entry | Gold coin donation |
| Access | Wheelchair accessible, parking available, guided tours offered |
| Contact | 06 758 0284 or bo***********@*****co.nz |
| Website | tsbbankbowlsmuseum.omeka.net |
About the TSB Bank Bowls New Zealand Museum
The TSB Bank Bowls New Zealand Museum began as a private collection in 1980 and was donated to New Zealand Bowls in 1993. Its stated aim is to compile and display lawn bowls activity in New Zealand since 1890 while assisting with the publication of facts about the game. The museum occupies a modest building in Dean Park that provides a park setting and views toward Mount Taranaki.
Collections focus on New Zealand material yet include items from clubs and players around the world. Artifacts range from antique bowls and trophies to uniforms, badges, photographs and printed records. A library section known as the Library of Jubilee holds historical bowling information that supports research into the sport’s growth and social context.
The museum sits next to the New Plymouth Bowling Club, one of the region’s long-established clubs. This location reinforces the connection between the displays and active bowls play on adjacent greens. Visitors can combine a museum visit with observation of club activity when games are scheduled.
History and Purpose
The museum’s founding reflects the desire to safeguard the material record of lawn bowls at a time when participation was already substantial in New Zealand. By 1993 the private holdings had grown large enough to warrant transfer to a national sporting body. The collection continues to accept donations of documented items that illustrate the sport’s evolution.
Collection and Exhibits
Holdings exceed 8,000 items and encompass memorabilia from more than 48 countries. Key categories include antique bowls, competition trophies, historical uniforms, club badges and an archive of printed material dating back to the 1890s. Each object contributes to an understanding of how the game spread and adapted within New Zealand communities.
Visiting the Museum
Access is straightforward from central New Plymouth via Brooklands Road. On-site parking is available and the building offers wheelchair access. Guided tours can be arranged by prior contact. Because hours are limited to three days each week, visitors are advised to confirm current times directly with the museum before travel.
Significance of Lawn Bowls in New Zealand
Lawn bowls ranks among the higher-participation sports in New Zealand and has long provided accessible recreation across age groups and abilities. Clubs function as social hubs that encourage intergenerational contact and local events. The museum’s displays illustrate how these community roles have persisted from the late nineteenth century to the present.
What Visitors Often Say
Visitors describe the museum as a compact but surprisingly comprehensive collection that rewards anyone with an interest in sporting history or New Zealand social life. Many note the personal stories attached to individual trophies and the helpfulness of staff when questions arise about particular items.
Reviewers appreciate the quiet setting beside active greens and the opportunity to see how equipment and club life have changed over more than a century. Several mention returning with bowls-playing friends or family members who enjoy recognising familiar club names in the displays.
Where to Learn More
TSB Bank Bowls New Zealand Museum: Official site with current opening hours, contact details and collection overview.
eHive collection record: Authoritative catalogue entry describing the museum’s scope and facilities.
Taranaki tourism listing: Regional visitor information including address and basic description.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current opening hours?
The museum is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 2:30pm, with possible extensions during the Taranaki Open. Confirm directly before visiting as hours can change.
Is entry free?
Entry is by gold coin donation. No advance booking is required for general visits.
Are guided tours available?
Guided tours can be arranged by contacting the museum in advance. Staff can highlight particular exhibits or themes on request.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the building provides wheelchair access and on-site parking is available.
Can I donate items to the collection?
Donations of documented lawn bowls artifacts are welcomed. Contact the museum with details of the item and its provenance for guidance on the process.
Is there a gift shop?
No dedicated gift shop operates on site. Brochures and tourist information are available.
Can events be hosted at the museum?
The venue can accommodate small events by arrangement. Capacity and terms should be discussed directly with museum staff.
How many items are in the collection?
Holdings exceed 8,000 items, with some sources noting growth toward 9,000 objects of New Zealand and international bowls memorabilia.
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