To acquire, collect, preserve, record and display all matters of historical significance about the Whangaroa local area is the aim behind this museum and archive society, incorporated in 1984. The museum is totally run by volunteers.

Displays include the significance of the ship Boyd burnt to the waterline in 1809 and now resting on the harbour floor. The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior bombed in 1986 is on the ocean floor off the coast and is of interest to divers. Items from ships are on display.

Other features include displays on timber milling, photographic and written records, family histories and genealogy of local families, photographs, and early New Zealand missionary activities from 1814 on, and archival material and journals.