10AM – 4PM daily Free | Drop-in While Matariki is celebrated by many iwi across Aotearoa to mark the Māori New Year, Kāi Tahu in Te Waipounamu also celebrates Puaka/Puanga. Puaka is the brightest star in the Orion constellation and is more visible than Matariki here in Hakatere Ashburton. Over the July school holidays, we…

10AM – 4PM daily Free | Drop-in We have been fortunate enough to secure Colossal Squid: Freaky Features! Te Ngū Tipua: Ngā Wāhanga Weriweri! from Te Papa! To celebrate this, we are inviting tamariki and rangatahi to make their own Colossal Squid using recycled materials.

10AM – 4PM daily Free | Drop-in If you are looking for something to do over Matariki weekend, come along and take part in our Puaka activities including making a manu tukutuku.

Interested in learning about matauranga Māori and the natural resources of Aotearoa? Join us for a one-day manu tukutuku workshop with the wonderful Vicky King, who will share her passion for toi Māori and knowledge of working with traditional fibres with those wishing to learn. The manu tukutuku Māori kites will be made from natural…

Join us at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum to celebrate Te Wiki o te reo Māori with a fun and friendly Māori language experience. Gain confidence with your pronunciation and learn some key words and phrases through singing waiata & exploring our exhibitions. Te reo Māori teacher Kate White will facilitate this interactive workshop, which is suitable…

Come along to this free, social event at Ashburton Art Gallery & Museum where you can connect with new people, art, culture, music and nature. This event is suitable for adults - ideal for those who haven't yet ventured inside the Art Gallery, as well as regular gallery visitors, all are welcome! Meet others over drinks and nibbles and connect with someone new through…

Exploring the Letter See if you can work out what one of the old letters say or have a go at writing a postcard to collect your Adventurer’s badges! 23 September – 30 September 2023 10AM – 4PM daily | Free | Drop-in   Funny People Make your own funny person using images from the…

Come along for a special event celebrating the opening of two new exhibitions at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum; The Art of the Letter and The Great Haulage Feat 1905-06: The Removal of the Wakanui Mill. Hear from Senior Curator Maryann Cowan about the incredible feat in moving the Wakanui Flour Mill across town…

We are getting festive with our annual District Card competition. This year we are taking inspiration from the photographs on display in our current exhibition Ngā Taonga o Hakatere: One Hundred Years of Forest & Bird and will create cards using collage materials. The competition is open to all children between 5-13 years and will…

At the 2023 Christchurch Heritage Festival, join us for a fascinating talk by our own Art Gallery and Museum Deputy Director, Danielle Campbell. Discover the thrifty, DIY hacks of past generations through unique objects, archives and photographs held in the Ashburton Museum and Historical Society's collection. From upcycling furniture and making their own clothes to…