Events & Programmes

Baby Steps Art Tour
Oct
9

Baby Steps Art Tour

On the first Friday of every month, bring your baby in a front pack or buggy to the art gallery for a short tour with one of the exhibition curators!

Baby Steps is a relaxed and social setting for caregivers of infants and young toddlers. It is a great chance to learn about the curious world of contemporary art and meet other like-minded people caring for little ones. Enjoy a 20-minute tour and stay for a free morning tea and chats. This is a drop-in event with no booking required.

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Highbury Weavers
Oct
23

Highbury Weavers

Take this opportunity to visit the Highbury Weavers as they work collectively to create a range of woven artworks using traditional Māori weaving techniques. This dedicated group upholds the mana and tikanga of Māori weaving within a contemporary context, sharing knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

Using both harakeke (flax) and selected modern materials, the Highbury Weavers demonstrate how traditional practices continue to evolve in today’s environment. Visitors are welcome to observe the weaving process and ask questions, gaining insight into the cultural significance and techniques of Māori weaving.

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Eco Submarine Pop Up – Festival of Design Aotearoa
Oct
23
to 25 Oct

Eco Submarine Pop Up – Festival of Design Aotearoa

Eco Submarine is a game built for entertainment that naturally integrates STEM learning for 8 to 13 year olds. Players pilot a submarine, process salvaged materials using gameplay grounded in real-world science, and heal ocean habitats.

For three days only, iPad stations will be set up in the foyer for you and your tamariki play and tell us what you think. Your feedback will help shape how the developers balance entertainment with meaningful education.

The Festival of Design Aotearoa is about celebrating how design shapes life in New Zealand. Anchored in Whanganui, the festival will be popping up around Papaioea over labour weekend at the Convention Centre, Te Marae o Hine and Te Manawa.

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Programming & Tamariki – Festival of Design Aotearoa
Oct
24

Programming & Tamariki – Festival of Design Aotearoa

Te Rangahau

Save your seat

Join us for three fascinating presentations about the processes behind programming designed for children in the public realm; including video games, AI and interactive exhibitions.

Book in for your topic of choice or stay for all three and enjoy a free light lunch between sessions, and some kōrero with like-minded folks.

The Festival of Design Aotearoa is about celebrating how design shapes life in New Zealand. Anchored in Whanganui, the festival will be popping up around Papaioea over labour weekend at the Convention Centre, Te Marae o Hine and Te Manawa.

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HoHo Halloween!
Oct
30

HoHo Halloween!

It’s Halloween at Te Manawa, but there’s no time for trick of treating — the elves are running amuck in Santa’s Cave!

The big guy is missing and all toy making has come to a halt. Those devilish elves are creating a real nightmare, will you make it through, or become one of them….

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HoHo Halloween!
Oct
31

HoHo Halloween!

It’s Halloween at Te Manawa, but there’s no time for trick of treating — the elves are running amuck in Santa’s Cave!

The big guy is missing and all toy making has come to a halt. Those devilish elves are creating a real nightmare, will you make it through, or become one of them….

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Baby Steps Art Tour
Sept
4

Baby Steps Art Tour

On the first Friday of every month, bring your baby in a front pack or buggy to the art gallery for a short tour with one of the exhibition curators!

Baby Steps is a relaxed and social setting for caregivers of infants and young toddlers. It is a great chance to learn about the curious world of contemporary art and meet other like-minded people caring for little ones. Enjoy a 20-minute tour and stay for a free morning tea and chats. This is a drop-in event with no booking required.

View Event →
Highbury Weavers
Aug
28

Highbury Weavers

Take this opportunity to visit the Highbury Weavers as they work collectively to create a range of woven artworks using traditional Māori weaving techniques. This dedicated group upholds the mana and tikanga of Māori weaving within a contemporary context, sharing knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

Using both harakeke (flax) and selected modern materials, the Highbury Weavers demonstrate how traditional practices continue to evolve in today’s environment. Visitors are welcome to observe the weaving process and ask questions, gaining insight into the cultural significance and techniques of Māori weaving.

View Event →
Baby Steps Art Tour
Aug
7

Baby Steps Art Tour

On the first Friday of every month, bring your baby in a front pack or buggy to the art gallery for a short tour with one of the exhibition curators!

Baby Steps is a relaxed and social setting for caregivers of infants and young toddlers. It is a great chance to learn about the curious world of contemporary art and meet other like-minded people caring for little ones. Enjoy a 20-minute tour and stay for a free morning tea and chats. This is a drop-in event with no booking required.

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Mid Winter Christmas
Jul
17
to 19 Jul

Mid Winter Christmas

Mid Winter Christmas at Te Manawa is your chance to get to the top of Santa’s ‘Nice’ list. Christmas carols and festive crafts await, so too does Santa himself. Tell the big guy what you’re hoping to see under the tree this December, and he’ll be sure to give the Elves a head start.

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Baby Steps Art Tour
Jul
3

Baby Steps Art Tour

On the first Friday of every month, bring your baby in a front pack or buggy to the art gallery for a short tour with one of the exhibition curators!

Baby Steps is a relaxed and social setting for caregivers of infants and young toddlers. It is a great chance to learn about the curious world of contemporary art and meet other like-minded people caring for little ones. Enjoy a 20-minute tour and stay for a free morning tea and chats. This is a drop-in event with no booking required.

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Air Playground Family Night
Jun
19

Air Playground Family Night

For one night only, we're making your visit to Air Playground even COOLER, with a Museum full of activity for the whole whānau! With VR, pop-up demonstrations, food trucks and a live science show, Family Night is going to really blow your mind!

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Baby Steps Art Tour
Jun
5

Baby Steps Art Tour

On the first Friday of every month, bring your baby in a front pack or buggy to the art gallery for a short tour with one of the exhibition curators!

Baby Steps is a relaxed and social setting for caregivers of infants and young toddlers. It is a great chance to learn about the curious world of contemporary art and meet other like-minded people caring for little ones. Enjoy a 20-minute tour and stay for a free morning tea and chats. This is a drop-in event with no booking required.

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Monotype Print Workshop with Brent Harris
May
30

Monotype Print Workshop with Brent Harris

Learn about image-making and the dark-field monotype technique with artist Brent Harris himself. We’ll provide everything you need, and you can take your own prints home with you at the end. This is a rare opportunity for local artists to learn from one of Australia’s leading painters and printmakers. Bookings are essential.

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Disco Drag Homecoming
May
29

Disco Drag Homecoming

In the 1970s, exhibiting artist Brent Harris spent his youth in West End listening to David Bowie and Barry White while dreaming of his future. He left Palmy at 22,  as a young gay man on a path of self-discovery, and went on to become a famous artist!

Now he’s back for his homecoming, and joined by esteemed Queens Rhubarb Rouge, RubyDax and Molly Mustard to help us tell his story.

We will also be auctioning an original artist print by Brent, with all proceeds going to MaLGRA.  

Join us for a night of wild antics, performance, and art! Tony’s Pizza Pop up Bar will be selling drinks and we’ll be serving nibbles. 70s ensembles encouraged!

Book your tickets now so you don’t miss out!

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Home-based educator Mornings - TERM 2
May
28

Home-based educator Mornings - TERM 2

Te Manawa welcomes home‑based educators in Palmerston North to join us for our 2026 Home‑based Educator Mornings.

These drop‑in sessions will run on the last Thursday of each month until November, from 10am – 11am.

For any questions about these sessions, please use the button below to email Te Manawa’s Education Team.

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Movie Night: 101 Dalmatians
May
9

Movie Night: 101 Dalmatians

Come enjoy a screening of the original 101 Dalmatians. Before you settle in, we’ll explore the basics of animal conservation and offer some hands-on activities, including the chance to hold a turtle shell and other specimens! This movie night is in association with our exhibition Feather Fur and Bone, which explores how people have used animal material for fashion and status. Popcorn is included with your ticket, and a milo station will be available on the night. Book your tickets here!

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Baby Steps Art Tour
May
8

Baby Steps Art Tour

On the first Friday of every month, bring your baby in a front pack or buggy to the art gallery for a short tour with one of the exhibition curators!

Baby Steps is a relaxed and social setting for caregivers of infants and young toddlers. It is a great chance to learn about the curious world of contemporary art and meet other like-minded people caring for little ones. Enjoy a 20-minute tour and stay for a free morning tea and chats. This is a drop-in event with no booking required.

View Event →
Heartbeat Date Night
Feb
14

Heartbeat Date Night

Bring your besties, in love or life, for our art gallery event of the summer season!

This is an all-ages, whānau-friendly night so come hungry for good vibes and great art.

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Event Five
Jan
6

Event Five

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

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Event Four
Jan
5

Event Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

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Event Three
Jan
4

Event Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

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Event Two
Jan
3

Event Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

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Event One
Jan
2

Event One

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

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