Wellington Heritage Festival

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Wellington Heritage Festival

Our Festival celebrates the people, places, and stories of Te Upoko-o-Te-Ika-a-Māui, the Greater Wellington Region.
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Saturday 24 October - Sunday 15 November 2026.

22/07/2026

🕰️ Last Chance For On-Time Event Applications!

Have an idea for an event? There's still time to be part of Wellington Heritage Festival 2026.

Submit your event by 10pm on Friday 31 July to be included in our 2026 online programme. Applications submitted after 31 July are still welcome but will incur a late application fee.

Whether you're planning a guided walk, exhibition, talk, performance or community celebration, we'd love to hear from you.

📅 Festival dates: 24 October - 15 November 2026
🔗 Find out more and apply: https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/form/application/

03/07/2026

📚 A New Chapter in Wairarapa’s History!

Congratulations to Dr Claire Hills on the publication of Heritage and Horizon: 180 Years of Wairarapa Catholic History.

Published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Wairarapa’s first resident Catholic priest, Father Antoine Halbwachs, this beautifully illustrated book explores 180 years of Catholic history in the region.

From the celebration of the first Mass in 1845 through to the modern-day Catholic Parish of the Wairarapa, it traces the people, churches, schools and communities that have shaped Catholic life across generations.

Heritage and Horizon also highlights the many cultural communities that have contributed to the region’s history, including Māori, French Marist, Irish and Polish communities, alongside later migrants and refugees who enriched Wairarapa’s Catholic community.

We congratulate Claire on this wonderful contribution to preserving and sharing Wairarapa’s heritage.

30/06/2026

🌈 NEW BLOG POST: The Presence of Pōneke in HNZPT's Rainbow List 🌈

As part of Pride Month, we're excited to share the third and final blog post in our special series celebrating people, places, and organisations who help preserve and share Aotearoa's rainbow heritage.

Today, we're shining a spotlight on Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga's Rainbow List and the important work it does uncovering and sharing the stories of Aotearoa's rainbow communities through places of historical significance. From its beginnings in 2020, the Rainbow List has continued to grow, helping ensure these stories are recognised and remembered.

In our latest blog post, Alice Houston-Page takes a closer look at the Rainbow List, how it came to be, and some of the fascinating stories behind Wellington's listed sites. 🏳️‍🌈

Read the full article here: https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/blog/hnzpt's-rainbow-list/

📷 Images © Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

25/06/2026

🌈 NEW BLOG POST: Kawe Mahara Q***r Archives Aotearoa🌈

As part of Pride Month, we're excited to share the second of three special blog posts celebrating people and organisations who help preserve and share Aotearoa's rainbow heritage.

This week, we're shining a spotlight on Kawe Mahara Q***r Archives Aotearoa and the vital work they do preserving the histories of q***r and takatāpui communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. Since 1977, the archive has collected and cared for invaluable records, ensuring these stories are protected for future generations.

In our latest blog post, Dr Will Hansen and Alice Houston-Page explore the history of Kawe Mahara, the importance of preserving q***r archives, and the role they play in keeping our shared heritage alive.

Read the full article here: https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/blog/kawe-mahara-q***r-archives-aotearoa/

23/06/2026

Only 1 week left to be included in our printed brochure for 2026! 📖

Have an idea for an event? There's still time to be part of Wellington Heritage Festival 2026.

We're looking for events from across Te Upoko-o-Te-Ika-a-Māui, the Greater Wellington Region, including Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, Wellington, the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa.

Whether you're planning a guided walk, exhibition, performance, talk or community celebration, we'd love to hear your ideas.

Applications are quick and easy, with just one application required to get involved.

🔗 Find out more and apply here:
https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/form/application/

🕰️ Applications for our brochure close June 30. Online only listings close July 31st.

16/06/2026

🌈 NEW BLOG POST: Walk Tours NZ 🌈

As part of Pride Month, we're excited to share the first of three special blog posts celebrating people and organisations who help preserve and share Aotearoa's rainbow heritage.

This week, we're shining a spotlight on Walk Tours NZ and the incredible work of Gareth Watkins and Roger Smith. Since 2017, they have been bringing Wellington's takatāpui rainbow histories to life through free community walking tours, connecting people with the places, stories, and individuals that have shaped our city.

In our latest blog post, Alice Houston-Page takes a closer look at Walk Tours NZ, their journey, and the passion behind their work.

Read the full article here: https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/blog/walk-tours-nz/

11/06/2026

📸 The story behind the photo...

Wow! We have been overjoyed by the amount of interest on our last post that we thought it would only be fair to share a little of the history behind it.

As many of you correctly guessed, the mystery location was Te Aro Park, formerly named Pigeon Park. Te Aro Park was built near the deeply historic kāinga and pā of Te Aro Pā, which stood prior to and during the early stages of Pākehā settlement.

One detail that sparked plenty of discussion was the “Ladies Only” sign visible in the original photograph. This section of the park sat beside the Ladies’ Rest Rooms, a public facility for women visiting the city. Contemporary photographs show women with prams using this designated area while men gathered elsewhere in the park. Eagle-eyed viewers may also notice that “Ladies Only” appears to have been painted directly onto some of the park benches as well.

The photographs shared here span roughly 1927-1940, showing the Ladies’ Rest Rooms, the arrival of the famous Tramways Clock, and a rare bird’s-eye view of the park from the Hope Gibbons Building.

We’ve also had a few people ask when the “Ladies Only” area was first established. We know it existed by 1927, but we’re still researching exactly when it was created. If anyone has older photographs or family memories of Te Aro Park, we’d love to hear from you! 👇

📷 Images courtesy of Wellington City Libraries and Old Photos NZ.

04/06/2026

Throwback Thursday! 🕰️

Can you guess the location of this well known spot in the Wellington CBD? 👀

Drop your guesses below 👇

26/05/2026

Be Part of Wellington Heritage Festival 2026! 📜

From guided walks and exhibitions to storytelling, performances and community celebrations, Wellington Heritage Festival celebrates the people, places and stories of Te Upoko-o-Te-Ika-a-Māui, the Greater Wellington Region.

We are seeking events from across the region, including Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, Wellington, the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa.

Applications are now open, and this year it’s even simpler, just one application to get started.

🔗 Find out more and apply here: https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/form/application/

🕰️ Applications for our brochure close June 30.

13/05/2026

Do you have treasured photographs, books, textiles, keepsakes, or special family heirlooms you want to preserve for years to come? ✨

Join The Dowse Art Museum this Saturday for Handle with Care, a friendly and practical session sharing expert advice on storing, handling, and preserving precious personal items and heirlooms.

Learn practical tips on caring for treasured objects and images, including advice on safe handling, storage materials, and where to source them. Attendees are also welcome to bring along specific items for preservation advice.

📍 The Dowse Art Museum
🗓️ Saturday 16 May
🕰️ 11am-12pm
🎟 Free | RSVP appreciated

Find out more: https://dowse.org.nz/exhibitions-and-events/events/events-2026/the-parlour/handle-with-care

Address

Wakefield Street
Wellington

Website

https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/

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