Sharing Histories | Gifts of 2022
Explore some of the treasured objects, archives, and photographs that were generously donated to and acquired by the Ashburton Museum and Historical Society in 2022. This inaugural exhibition will return each year, showcasing some of our most special and fascinating acquisitions of the previous year and exploring why they are significant to Hakatere Ashburton. Join…
Tūhura Tuarangi: Aotearoa in Space
This is a space science showcase that is out of this world! Developed by Otago Museum, Tūhura Tuarangi is packed with hands-on interactives to play with, build, launch and explore with your whole whānau. Discover the amazing space technologies and world-leading research going on right here in Aotearoa You will get to build a satellite, launch a…
Spotlight on Burnett Street
Burnett Street lies in the bustling heart of our town, having catered to the needs of our growing population since the early 1870s. Although few physical remnants from that earliest era remain, our display of stories, photos and archives will capture the changing landscape, lives and businesses of one of Ashburton’s busiest streets. Join us…
Bobbie Barwell: Capturing People and Places
Explore the life, career and photographs of one of Ashburton’s earliest female photographers, ‘Bobbie’ Barwell of Barwell Studios. A woman who was not confined by the social constructs of her time, Bobbie’s photographs capture life in Hakatere Ashburton and Te Waipounamu in the 1930s and 40s, with her passion for the outdoors shining through. Her…
Kā Huru Manu Exhibition
The Kā Huru Manu exhibition provides an insight into the Ngāi Tahu history of the Hakatere Ashburton district. Kā Huru Manu, the Ngāi Tahu Cultural Mapping Project, is dedicated to mapping the traditional place names and associated stories with the Ngāi Tahu rohe (tribal area). Come and explore early maps of Māori place names in…
Circus Exhibition ‘Under the Big Top’
The Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum’s new summer exhibition Under the Big Top features the return of a very popular attraction. ‘Australasia’s Largest Smallest Travelling Circus’ is an impressive collection of miniature circus performers, animals, vehicles and attractions that were hand-made by local Ashburton plumber Rex Hockings in the 1950s. Children will be able to…
Home & Country
Born from a need in our communities 100 years ago, the Women’s Institute came to Ashburton and many other communities throughout New Zealand to encourage mutual friendship, fun and helping in both the good times and bad. This exhibition explores the history of local Women’s Institutes as they enter another century of community support.
Hakatere Home & Heritage
Our Hakatere Home & Heritage exhibition celebrates the launch of Ashburton’s Welcoming Communities photobook project that captured a moment in time on Race Relations Day 21 March 2020. In collaboration with local photographer Emmily Harmer, 20 family groups were photographed in their cultural garments and recounted their heritage story for this book. This snapshot of…
Critters, Creatures and Curiosities
Critters, creatures and curiosities are all out in force from the deepest drawers, the highest cupboards and the darkest corners of the Museum’s collection stores. They have come out to surprise and intrigue all who dare to be curious. The good, the bad and the beautiful animals in our collection will share their story before…
Christchurch 22nd February 2011-2021 Ashburton Remembers
We are giving people of Ashburton an opportunity to share their memories and experiences of 22nd February 2011.