Join the lovely Oriwa Morgan-Ward as she presents fun-filled creative activities for all ages.
We know it’s the end of the year, and you might be looking for something to do or just want some last minute fun before we close for the year. Check out what we have in the Museum for everyone!
Also check out our FB event pages and share with your friends by clicking here!
Resources: Provided within the cost of each workshop.
Bookings: Essential, 10 participants per session.
Phone the Museum reception today for bookings on 07 872-0085 or fill in the form below.
All children must have adult supervision.
Tī Rākau Stick Game with Oriwa & Awatea
Wed 16th Dec, two sessions:
10.00-12pm or 12.30pm-2.30pm
Every participant gets to design their very own tī rākau and learn the waiata/song in Te Reo Māori along with the actions to the game. A great cost effective whānau activity of skill.
Cost: $5 per participant, per session
Ages: Open to all ages
Skill: Beginner
Bookings: 10 participants per session
Click here to see our FB event info.
Hine and Tama Paper Dolls with Oriwa
Monday 21st Dec, two sessions:
10.00-12pm or 12.30pm-2.30pm
Learn about traditional Māori clothing and accessories. Each participant receives their own Hine or Tama Paper Dolls to design amazing outfits.
Cost: FREE
Ages: Open to all ages
Skill: Beginner
Bookings: 10 participants per session
Click here to see our FB event info
Poi Making Workshop with Oriwa
Tues 22nd Dec, two sessions:
10.00-12pm or 12.30pm-2.30pm
Each participant receives their own materials to make a set of poi and learn the waiata song in Te Reo Māori along with the skilful actions. Another fun activity for the whānau or kids of all ages!
Cost: $5 per participant, per session
Ages: Open to all ages
Skill: Beginner
Bookings: 10 participants per session
Click this link to see Oriwa demonstrate the poi and what you can expect in the workshop.
Click here to see our FB event info
Māori Design Badges with Oriwa
Wed 23rd Dec, two sessions:
10.00-12pm or 12.30pm-2.30pm
Learn basic Māori design inspired by kōwhaiwhai and whakairo carving patterns then make a badge out of it for you, or as a present for someone else!
Cost: $5 per participant, per session
Ages: Open to all ages
Skill: Beginner
Bookings: 10 participants per session
Click here for our FB event info
Are you ready for the September – October School Holidays? Well we sure are!
Join the lovely Oriwa Morgan-Ward as she presents two weeks of fun-filled creative activities for the kids. We’ve also 
designed some workshops for the adults. Click one of these tabs to see what’s happening each day.
Check out the first week of the holiday event page and share with your friends by clicking here!
Resources: Provided within the cost of each workshop.
Bookings: Essential, 10 participants per session.
Phone the reception today for bookings on 07 872-0085. All children must have adult supervision.
Putiputi Flower Weaving with Harakeke
Wednesday 30th September
Learn the fundamentals of working with harakeke (flax) and basic weaving techniques.
Two sessions: 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-3.30pm
Cost: $5 per participant, per session
Ages: Open to all ages
Skill: Beginner-Intermediate
Tīpare Headband Weaving with Harakeke
Thursday 1st October
Learn the fundamentals of working with harakeke (flax) and how to create different plaits.
Two sessions: 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-3.30pm
Cost: $5 per participant, per session
Ages: Open to all ages
Skill: Beginner-Intermediate
Cookies & Canvas for the kids
Saturday 3nd October
Back by popular demand! A fun and easy to follow, step-by-step tutorial on how to paint a whimsical painting while 
enjoying a cookie. More info to come!
Two sessions: 10.00am-11.30pm & 1.30pm-3.30pm
Cost: $15 per participant, per session
Ages: 5-12yrs
Skill: Learner-Advanced
Check out the second week of the holiday events page and share with your friends by clicking here!
Rourou Basket Weaving Harakeke
Wednesday 7th October
This is a great way to test your weaving skills as you navigate how to create a four corner basket. With these skills you can create bigger, wider, smaller and multifunctional environment friendly re-usable baskets.
Two sessions: 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-3.30pm
Cost: $5 per participant, 10 participants only per session
Ages: 8yrs+
Skill: Intermediate-advanced
Whāriki Mat Weaving Harakeke
Thursday 8th October
Challenge yourself with this next level of weaving a mat! From these skills you can create floor mats to simple book
coverings, the ideas are endless. This workshop is aimed at participants who have a basic knowledge of weaving who have had attended prior weaving workshops. Not for beginners.
One full day session: 10.30am-3.30pm
Cost: $10 per participant, 10 participants only for this session
Ages: 10yrs+
Skill: Advanced skill level
What to bring: Your own lunch and water bottles, small tarp, old towel, scissors, blunt knife and a good sense of humour.
Cuppa, Cake & Canvas
Saturday 10th October
This is one all day session for the adults. This painting tutorial will take you through a fun and easy to follow, step-by-
step tutorial on how to paint a whimsical painting while enjoying the social side of a cuppa. More info on the subject to come.
One full day session: 10.30am-1pm
Cost: $20 per participant, per session
Ages: 18yrs+
Skill: Learner-Intermediate
Book: Please book your place as this is very popular!
Celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo!
Celebrate Māori Language Week with the Museum by attending the Tī Rākau Stick Game of Skill with Oriwa & Awatea this Saturday. Every participant receives their own set of rākau to decorate and work with. A great skill game to share with the whānau family as you test yourself to learn the actions while singing the waiata song.
Date: 19th September 2020
Time: 10.30am-12pm & 12.30pm-2pm
Cost: $5 per participant, per session
Ages: Open to all ages
Skill: Hand eye coordination
Resources: Provided
Bookings: Essential, 10 participants per session
Share our FB event page with your friends click here
Phone the reception today for bookings on 07 872-0085. All children must have adult supervision
8 SEPTEMBER 2020
Matariki Workshops with Oriwa
We’re welcoming families to our public programmes during the July school holidays. Take a look at what creative activities we have for all ages.
PAPER WHETŪ MAHI RARANGA/WEAVING
Tuesday 7th & 14th July 2020
10.30am – 3pm (Wā Kai Lunchtime between 12pm-1pm)
Learn the fundamentals of weaving using coloured paper to make Matariki stars. Fun for all ages
Skill level: easy-medium. All materials supplied. $2 per participant
TUES 14th JULY MORNING SESSION IS FULLY BOOKED!
NGĀ WHETŪ HARAKEKE MAHI RARANGA/WEAVING
Wednesday 8th & 15th July 2020
10.30am – 3pm (Wā Kai Lunchtime between 12pm-1pm)
Learn the fundamentals of weaving using harvested harakeke/flax to make Matariki stars. Fun for all ages!
Skill level: easy-medium. All materials supplied. $2 per participant
STAR CLUSTER CIRCLES
Thursday 9th & 16th July 2020
10.30am – 3pm (Wā Kai Lunchtime between 12pm-1pm)
Design your own Matariki star out of coloured card and embellish using hot glue and your imagination! These can be hung in your window to catch the star light!
Skill level: advanced. All materials supplied. $2 per participant
TO BOOK YOUR SPACES PLEASE COME IN OR CALL THE MUSEUM 07-872 0085
FREE ACTIVITIES
During School Holidays: Monday 10am-4pm, Friday 10am-4pm, and Sat 10am-2pm.
Continuing for the rest of July these activities will be up in the mezzanine during normal opening hours.
LEARN THE ART OF ORIGAMI
Make a Star Box out of coloured paper to put your most precious things in.
This is a self directed learning activity and may need adult supervision. All the instructions will be available and all the materials are supplied by the Museum.
GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON!
Make a Ninja star out of coloured paper! Be careful, those edges are sharp!
This is a self directed learning activity and may need adult supervision. All the instructions will be available and all the materials are supplied by the Museum.
MAKE LOTS OF STARS TO MAKE A GARLAND
Fold coloured paper to make lots of these stars to take home and hang on your wall or window.
This is a self directed learning activity and may need adult supervision. All the instructions will be available and all the materials are supplied by the Museum.
Click this link to go to our FB event page and invite friends to the workshops
20 JUNE 2020
This year Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia were in lockdown due to Covid-19
Usually the Museum would have activities for families to come in and commemorate ANZAC Day after the annual Te Awamutu dawn ceremony on ANZAC Green in the township. This year we were asked to stand at our front gates at dawn and commemorate ANZAC day in our own homes. Front gates took on amazing commemorative spaces by families sharing the spirit of loved ones lost.
The Museum decided to create virtual activities like the online presentation about ANZAC Day utilising images from the collection, posting it to our FB page. We also asked our online community to share their front gate commemorative poppies to our FB. Wow, what incredible artwork and some amazing messages of inspiration.
Here are two of our online activities we shared virtually.
Make a Poppy
To commemorate Anzac Day, on the 25th Apil 2020 we invite you to make a poppy with us and the RSA.
If you would like to make a poppy for ANZAC day you can watch the video and download your poppy template here:
