Wellington Heritage Festival

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

07/05/2026

Wellington’s history is filled with stories of courage, resistance, and conviction. Few are more powerful than that of Archibald Baxter. 🕊️

In a new blog post for Wellington Heritage Festival, Alice Houston-Page explores Aotearoa New Zealand’s history of conscientious objection during WWI, the treatment faced by objectors like Baxter, and the real historical events behind the new play War Hero by Michael Galvin. 🎭

Premiering at the Gryphon Theatre from 6-16 May, War Hero brings Baxter’s experiences to life in a raw and deeply moving way.

Read the full blog post here: https://wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/blog/war-hero/

29/04/2026

Become an Event Host for Wellington Heritage Festival 2026! 🏛️✨

Did you know you can host an event from anywhere in the Wellington Region? We are seeking events from across the region, including Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, Wellington, the Hutt Valley, and the Wairarapa.

Our Festival promotes and celebrates the people, places and stories of Te Upoko-o-Te-Ika-a-Māui, the Greater Wellington Region. If you are an individual, organisation or community group that would like to share your heritage, we encourage you to apply.

Applications are now open, and this year it’s even simpler. All you need to do is submit one application to get started.

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

🕰️ Applications for our brochure close June 30.

23/04/2026

New Zealand Archaeology Week is coming to Wellington! 🔍🏛️✨

From fascinating talks to guided walks through local history, there’s plenty happening across the region.

Wellington events include:

💬 “All seems so lovely because all is home” - The Archaeology of Home with Mary O’Keeffe. (3 May)
🗺️ "Mapping Wellington: Mr Ward and the Other Chaps" (4 May)
🎤 Short and Sharp Archaeology! (5 May)
🏡 The Archaeology of Turnbull House (8 May)
🚶‍♀️ Walking Tour of Ngāti Toa Domain, Mana (9 May)

Explore the full programme on the website: https://nzarchaeology.org/news-events/national-archaeology-week-2026-2

New Zealand Archaeology Week is from 2nd – 10th May 2026 JOIN NZAA – NZ MEMBERSHIPJOIN NZAA – OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP The New Zealand Archaeological Association is working to increase publicRead more

21/04/2026

✨ It’s here! ✨

Te Waiwhakaata Wairarapa Film Festival 2026 is now live, with a brand new website, a fantastic programme of events, and tickets now available!

This year’s programme brings together a special line-up of screenings and events, including film anniversaries and work by filmmakers with strong Wairarapa connections such as Annie Goldson, Barry Barclay, Sir Peter Jackson, and James Cameron.

🎥 A special highlight this year: The Carterton Collection
Featuring the premiere of By Hand (2026), alongside Georgie Girl (2001).

Other highlights include:
🎓 A special masterclass with Annie Goldson on The Subject of Documentary
🤝 Fundraiser screenings in partnership with the Rotary Club of Carterton, Arrow FM 92.7FM, and Regent 3 Cinemas
🏫 Schools in Cinemas presenting the newly restored Wairarapa (1965) featuring camerawork by Barry Barclay
🖼 Special screenings of Grace: A Prayer for Peace, celebrating Dame Robin White

🎟 Full programme and tickets are now live on the festival website: https://www.waifilmfest.co.nz/

Discover stories that connect, inspire, and stay with you long after the credits roll.

15/04/2026

Such incredible news from Futuna Chapel today!

14/04/2026

✨25 years of Middle-earth on the big screen✨

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings with a special extended screening on 29 April, featuring a recorded introduction by Peter Jackson. 🎬

Hosted by our partners at the Rotary Club of Carterton as part of Te Waiwhakaata Wairarapa Film Festival, this event is raising funds for Wellington Free Ambulance. ❤️

The Wairarapa Film Festival has also collaborated with heritage artisans, The Wheelwright Hub, on a special film project. Another great reason to support this fantastic local initiative and an exciting way to explore heritage practices.

📍 Regent 3 Cinemas
🎟️ Book via Humanitix
https://events.humanitix.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-fellowship-of-the-ring-or-extended-anniversary-edition-for-2026

07/04/2026

Staying in Te Whanganui-a-Tara for the school holidays? 🌿

There are so many beautiful places to explore right in our backyard.

From scenic views to historical architecture, here are a few snippets from last year’s festival, captured on film. 🎞️

Where’s your favourite place to visit? 📍