Formed as the Auckland Philosophical Society on 6 November 1867, for "the promotion of art, science, and literature by means of a museum and library, lectures, and meetings of the members", with a view to incorporation with the newly created New Zealand Institute and adopting the Auckland Museum,[6][7][8] the Society was fittingly renamed the Auckland Institute in March 1868 and formally incorporated with the New Zealand Institute on 10 June 1868.

He also obtained a grant of the old Post Office site in Princes Street for the Institute.

In the opening address, the Chairman of the Citizens War Memorial Committee, Alfred Seymour Bankart, said to the Governor General, Sir Charles Fergusson:

Your Excellency, the Memorial takes two forms, the Museum building and the cenotaph, both embodying the same spirit.

Current sections are: Auckland Museum Institute is a partner in the Monuments Men and Women Museum Network, launched in 2021 by the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art.