Opening | Matariki Herenga Waka & Caught in the Moment
Join us for the opening of two new exhibitions! In Matariki herenga waka: A mooring place for all canoes, waka hourua decorated by students from Ashburton Intermediate School ‘sail’ through the space, representing Whakatere Ashburton as a community of many ‘canoes’: diverse people and identities who call this place home. Here, their waka hourua represent…
Workshop | Treasured Photos
Join us for a practical workshop led by archivist Connor Lysaght, where you will be introduced to methods for identifying various types of historic photographs, best‑practice approaches for their storage, and techniques for producing high‑quality digital reproductions. Attendees are encouraged to bring a treasured photograph or negative to work with. While items of any size…
Heritage Talk | Mid Canterbury Suffragettes
The Ashburton Family History Group have spent many years researching the Mid Canterbury women who signed the suffrage petition. At this special talk, we will hear about their findings and add local context to this pivotal moment in time. Image: Detail from Suffrage in Stitches exhibition, hosted at Rokowhiria in 2023
Community Event | Stitching the Suffrage Panel
After stitching a textile panel representing Whakatere Ashburton for a project lead by the Tapestry Trust NZ in 2019, the Ashburton Embroiderers’ Guild now have the opportunity to support the Association of New Zealand Embroiderers’ Guilds Inc and Canterbury Suffrage Stitchers to add stitches to a new panel honouring the suffrage movement. Come along and…
Artist Talk | Kara Burrowes and Charrette van Eekelen
Join us for an artist talk with Kara Burrowes and Charrette van Eekelen, Ōtautahi Christchurch-based artists who see the night as a psychologically charged space where memory, emotion, and uncertainty provide productive grounds for art making. Kara and Charrette will discuss their collaborative exhibition, Nocturne. Varying in scale, the works in this exhibition explore darkness…
Cultural Awareness Talk | Tokelau
In this Cultural Awareness session, you will learn about Tokelauan culture and discuss basic social protocols to help you interact with clients, whānau, and friends. The session will be led by Whakatere Ashburton local Akosita Ulupano. All are welcome – nau mai koutou katoa! Organised with Welcoming Communities and Hakatere Multicultural Council
Photography Workshop | Tegan Clark & Jaime McLauchlan
Join local professional photographers Tegan Clark and Jaime McLauchlan for an inspiring and practical introduction to photography. This one-hour session is designed for anyone with a DSLR or mirrorless camera who wants to move beyond “auto” and feel more confident behind the lens. Perfect for beginners and hobby photographers looking to grow their skills in…
Matariki herenga waka: A mooring place for all canoes
In celebration of Matariki in 2026, the national theme Matariki herenga waka – For everyone welcomes all people to reflect on the year passed and prepare for the new year ahead. While national celebrations are held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – known as ‘the gathering place of many canoes’ – Whakatere Ashburton is also a…
Caught in the Moment: Guardian photographs of 1976
What moments in time did the Ashburton Guardian photographers capture around Whakatere Ashburton throughout 1976? This selection of photographs from our large collection of Guardian negatives will take you on a journey across various aspects of life in our district 50 years ago. Although some of these images were published in the daily newspaper, most…
In Plain Site: Memorials and their Stories
From traditional monuments to functional buildings, and even living trees, public memorials take many shapes and forms. In Whakatere Ashburton many commemorate wartime sacrifice, while others acknowledge colonial settlement and industry, or the original site of the famed mātai tree, Hinepaaka. This exhibition tells the stories behind local memorials, who created them and why, using…
Witching Words: A Poetry Competition
Witching Words: A Poetry Competition invites visitors of all ages to step into a world where language shimmers and imagination leads the way. Inspired by the playful poetry of Margaret Mahy and the evocative illustrations of David Elliot, this competition encourages you to create your own poem using words, rhymes, and ideas drawn from the…
Island Breeze
Join us for our monthly Pasifika wāhine art and craft session in Ashburton! If singing, chatting, and art sounds like your cup of tea, come along on the third Thursday of every month from 1pm – 3.00pm. Island Breeze welcomes Māori and Pasifika. Kai is provided. Contact Fifita on 027 529 0022 for more details….
Art Addicts
Art Addicts (AA) is Rokowhiria’s weekly art space for kids during the school term. Wrap up your Wednesday school day and head to the Gallery and Museum to get creative and explore different materials and themes in art. AA is all about a fun, shared learning experience for all who attend. There is no need…
Able Art Collective
Able Art Collective is a supportive space for individuals with disabilities to explore, learn, create, connect and express themselves through art. Sessions are held on the second Wednesday of every month from 9.30 am – 11.30 am. Bookings are required – please register by emailing aagm@adc.govt.nz Run in partnership by the Ashburton Art Gallery &…
Kōwhai Kids
Kōwhai Kids is our monthly art group for children aged 0-5 years. Join us once a month for a relaxed session where kids can engage with fun sensory art activities, while parents chat over tea or coffee. These sessions are a great opportunity for parents and guardians to meet others from Whakatere Ashburton, and for…
Sunday Studio
Sunday Studio is our weekend art group for adults! Join us once a month to explore a new art technique and socialise on a Sunday afternoon. Each month will have a different focus, and whether it’s printmaking, ceramics, or something in between, our Learning and Experience Lead, Katie, will be there to help you master…
In Colour
In Colour is a great way to unwind and relax with like-minded people. Bring along your art and craft projects to share with others over morning tea once a month. New members are always welcome. We will supply basic colouring-in sheets and materials, along with tea, coffee and a biscuit or two. We encourage those…