Museum services for schools – check out the 2019 education programme booklet here!
Tairāwhiti Museum is a 5-minute walk from the CBD, across Peel Street Bridge and through Kelvin Park. There is free parking on Stout Street.
Opening Hours
- Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
- Sunday and Public Holidays 1:30pm – 4:00pm
- Closed – Easter Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Admission
- Adults $5 (12 years and under and Friends of the Museum free entry)
- Free entry every day for local residents!
Exhibit Cafe
- Monday – Friday 8.30am to 2.00pm, Saturday 9.30am – 12.30pm, closed Sundays.
What’s Happening at the Museum
Exhibitions
The Self Portraits of Carol Montgomery
Opening: 12/07/19 10:00 am
To my knowledge, this is the first exhibition of self portraits to be held at Tairāwhiti Museum. It is my first solo exhibition and includes my first self portrait which was also my first oil painting and my first exhibit. The works exhibited are in graphite, pastel and oils and cover the years 1980-2015. They... Read more »
Rua -John Moetara
Opening: 14/06/19 5:30 pm
An exhibition based on relationships. An artistic expression with a foot in two worlds, value and belief systems. Inherited through the journey from Stone 2 Steel. Staying connected to the indigenous visual language of old with a drive to adapt to the ever changing space and media. A challenge to the Indigenous creatives. How far... Read more »
Flat-Pack Whakapapa – Maureen Lander
Opening: 17/05/19 5:30 pm
Dr Maureen Lander is of Ngāpuhi (Te Hikutu subtribe) and Pākehā (New Zealand European) descent. A noted multimedia installation artist, weaver, and academic who has exhibited locally, nationally and internationally since 1986. In Flat-Pack Whakapapa, Lander has created three installations that explore the connections between whakapapa and raranga (Māori weaving). Flat-Pack Whakapapa considers kinship, family... Read more »
Posing, Not Posing
Opening: 26/11/18 10:00 am
Long before smartphones, selfie sticks and one-swipe filters, having your ‘perfect’ picture taken took practice, preparation and plenty of posing. Early cameras and photographic materials required the sitter to be still for many seconds. While this is often given as the reason for a lack of smiles, a more likely reason is that early portrait... Read more »
Wyllie Cottage
Wyllie Cottage
Wyllie Cottage is the oldest European house still standing in the Gisborne area and also a popular tourist attraction. It was restored and refurbished in 2016. You can find out more about this project on our blog. The cottage was built in the early days of the township of Gisborne for Keita (Kate) and James... Read more »
Watersheds | Ngā Wai Pupū
Watersheds | Ngā Wai Pupū is Tairāwhiti Museum’s semi-permanent exhibition which gives the visitor a snapshot of the history of the Gisborne/East Coast region. Our exhibition forms a river that flows through the history of Tairāwhiti. Beginning with Māori accounts of how the world began and where people came from, this river of history finishes in... Read more »
Events
Barleycorn – live at the museum
Barleycorn will perform a mix of tunes and songs, something for everyone. A relaxing afternoon of gentle folk-style music. Come and join us in this fantastic venue on a Winter’s afternoon. You never know what the back-drop might be in the gallery. $5 at the door – children and students with ID free
Winter concert series
Join us at the museum for performances by some of New Zealand’s finest young musicians from Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music Sun 12 May, 2pm Jazz duo – Oscar Laven & Adrian Jenson Sun 9 Jun, 2pm Classical guitar duo – Rameka Tamaki & Amber Madriaga Sun 14 Jul, 2pm Harry Grigg (vocal)... Read more »
Winter concert series
Join us at the museum for performances by some of New Zealand’s finest young musicians from Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music Sun 12 May, 2pm Jazz duo – Oscar Laven & Adrian Jenson Sun 9 Jun, 2pm Classical guitar duo – Rameka Tamaki & Amber Madriaga Sun 14 Jul, 2pm Harry Grigg (vocal)... Read more »
