We’re opening!

He Waka Tuia ART + MUSEUM will open to the public on Saturday, September 12.

Co-managers David Dudfield and Gemma Baldock said the opening is the culmination of months of hard work and planning.

“The team is thrilled to set an opening date and we are all working very hard behind the scenes to install the first exhibition ready for our community to access and experience,” Gemma said. 

The public opening follows a special dawn ceremony on the Thursday [Thursday, September 10] with iwi, who have been instrumental in shaping and supporting the Art + Museum.

“We are excited about iwi telling iwi stories in this collaborative community space,” David said.

The team are very excited to share He Waka Tuia with the community.

“It will be lovely to finally share this space with everybody. We know how important it is for people to have spaces they can call their own, and we sincerely hope people love it as much as we do,” Gemma said.

The Art + Museum will open to the public at 10am. Visitors are reminded that, regardless of COVID 19 level, numbers are limited so there may be some waiting times.

The grand opening will also be preceded by an official event on the Thursday night.

“It’s nice to thank everyone that has helped us get to where we are, but the real opening, for us, is when we’ll see He Waka Tuia reflected in the eyes of our community,” David said.