New Zealand Rugby Museum, Rugby heritage museum in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

The New Zealand Rugby Museum occupies premises within the Te Manawa museum of art, science and history, next to the Palmerston North Civic Centre. Its displays hold equipment, clothing, books, photographs, trophies and badges, modelled on the Trophy Room at Cardiff Arms Park in Wales.

John Sinclair and Dr Fred Spurdle founded the museum, whose first exhibition opened in April 1969; the Rugby Museum Society of New Zealand was incorporated on 14 May 1970. Modelled on the Trophy Room at Cardiff Arms Park in Wales, it moved before the 2011 Rugby World Cup into larger premises next to the Palmerston North Civic Centre, within Te Manawa.

The museum is run by the Rugby Museum Society of New Zealand, formed on 14 May 1970, a registered charity and associate member of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Its presidents and patrons have included former All Blacks Sir Brian Lochore, Ian MacRae and Sir Wilson Whineray, patron until his death in 2012; Dr Farah Palmer was president as at 2023. Neil Monro, grandson of Charles Monro, credited with bringing rugby union to New Zealand, has been treasurer for over fifty years.

The museum sits inside the Te Manawa complex beside the Palmerston North Civic Centre, so enter through Te Manawa rather than a separate street entrance. A handful of the roughly 50,000 holdings are catalogued on NZMuseums, so check that catalogue before arriving if you want to see a specific item. Some objects are lent out for particular uses, so a piece may be off display.

The Have a Go area lets visitors test their abilities through kicking, tackling, jumping, and sprinting challenges. This hands-on space adds an interactive element beyond viewing displays.