House Warming Party

14 - 15 December 2024

Open daily 10am to 5pm

Free entry

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery has been closed since July for construction work to improve the building. Now the time has come to open our doors again and welcome you back!

Join us on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December to celebrate the re-opening of our whare with music, crafts, artist talks, and more. The new forecourt will be ready for action and the galleries will be looking amazing with new and updated exhibitions for you to explore.

Saturday 14 December

10am: Museum opens

10.30am to 11.30am: Whakaohooho a Te Winika

Whakaohooho a Te Winika

Join us to acknowledge Te Winika with song and karakia as she is re-awoken (whakaohooho) for the public once again. This event will include singing the traditional waiata, Te Winika.

Due to much-needed renovation work on our building, the majestic waka taua Te Winika has been at rest (whakataa) from public view. 

11am to 3pm: Weaving with Wikitoria

11am to 3pm: Free face-painting, stilt walkers and crazy characters!

12pm: Live music in the forecourt

4pm: Last time for entry to Astronomy Photographer of the Year

5pm: Museum closes

Sunday 15 December

10am: Museum opens

11am to 3pm: Weaving with Wikitoria

3pm: Talk by photographer Meghan Maloney

Artist Talk: Meghan Maloney on Photographing the Night Sky 

Feeling starstruck? Local professional photographer Meghan Maloney will share her experience photographing the night sky.  

Come along to hear how Meghan plans her astrophotography shoots and some career highlights, such as travelling from her home in the Waipaa to far-flung destinations such as Antarctica.

4pm: Last time for entry to Astronomy Photographer of the Year

5pm: Museum closes

Image: Detail of 'Psammead' by Madeleine Child. Gifted by the Friends of Waikato Museum, Collection of Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery.