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
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 »
Te Moana Maritime Gallery
The Te Moana Maritime Gallery offers a glimpse into 1000 years of maritime myths, legends, stories and development of the Tairawhiti East Coast region. Also included in this gallery is the arrival of Captain James Cook, the development of Gisborne’s harbour, local shipwrecks, surfing in this region, the fishing industry and surf life saving.
Events
School Holiday Art Workshops
Monday 8th July Garlands Celebrate and create a funky paper garland to hang up at home inspired by current exhibitions in the museum. Two sessions: 10am – 12pm, and 1pm – 3pm (Recommended ages 5 – 12) Wednesday 10th July Zine Create your own zine based on what you see in the museum, gain... 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 »
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 »
