Torpedo Bay Navy Museum

Torpedo Bay Navy Museum is a naval archive in Devonport housed in a building from 1896 that once served to manage naval weapons. The facility contains ships, weapons, photographs, and various artifacts from naval history displayed in modern exhibition spaces.

The building was constructed in 1896 and served the naval fleet as an administrative center for mines and torpedos to protect the harbor. The site's development is closely tied to the nation's defense strategy in the late 1800s.

The museum displays a Maori warrior skirt given to the HMS New Zealand commander in 1913, which naval officers later wore during significant operations. This blend of Maori heritage and British naval presence is visible through such objects that visitors encounter today.

The museum is located in an easily accessible place in Devonport and offers exhibition spaces suited for various visitors. School groups can take advantage of educational programs to learn more about naval history.

The museum focuses on the story of HMNZS Achilles and its encounter with a Japanese submarine during World War II, an episode of Pacific naval warfare. This rare story of direct confrontation between New Zealand and Japanese naval forces is often overlooked by visitors.