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Leisure & Culture

Our museums

Be inspired at The Dowse Art Museum with its diverse programme of local and international exhibitions, and learn about the earliest days of our region at the Petone Settlers Museum and the Wainuiomata Museum.

The Dowse Art Museum

Visiting The Dowse

Why visit?

Here are just some of the reasons: 

  • An exciting exhibition programme that showcases the best in contemporary art and design
  • A busy events calendar with something for everyone, from the monthly Late Lounge session with bands and solo performers to artists' talks and creative workshops
  • Free entry
  • On site café
  • MINE: The Dowse shop offers a range of designer gifts and cards.
  • Curriculum-linked education programmes and school holiday events
  • An upstairs visitors lounge for friends and family to relax 
  • Multi-purpose venue and meeting spaces for hire
  • Free entry

The Dowse has a collection of more than 3000 artworks, with a strong focus on the decorative arts.

Finding and contacting The Dowse

Location

45 Laings Road – opposite the ISite

Tel: 04 570 6500
Email: dowse@huttcity.govt.nz 
Website: www.dowse.org.nz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedowseartmuseum
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thedowse

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 10am-4.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm
Closed on Christmas Day

The Petone Settlers Museum

Visiting the Petone Settlers Museum

Why visit?

  • An interesting insight into the migration and settlement of people into our region
  • Conveniently located on the Esplanade on Petone’s foreshore
  • Situated in one of New Zealand’s most significant memorial buildings, the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial
  • Free entry

The museum was refurbished to mark the 70th anniversary of the opening of its building, the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial. Tatou Tatou is an exhibition that celebrates the arrival of the first British settlers on Petone Beach in 1840. It also explores the ongoing ramifications of settlement for both Maori and Pakeha.

Accessing the online passenger database

You can access records of vessels and voyages to Wellington from the United Kingdom, Australia and parts of Europe between 1839 and 1897.

Search the database.

Finding and contacting the Petone Settlers Museum

Location

The Esplanade, Petone.

Tel: 04 568 8373
Email: settlers@huttcity.govt.nz
Website
: www.petonesettlers.org.nz


Opening hours

Wednesday to Sunday 10am–4pm          

The Wainuiomata Museum

Visiting the Wainuiomata Museum

Picture life in years gone by – in the classroom and beyond.

Situated within two classrooms in the grounds of Wainuiomata School, one room has been retained as a period classroom and the other holds historic articles on life in the Wainuiomata Valley.

The museum is run by the local Historical Society. Entry by gold coin donation.

Finding and contacting the Wainuiomata Museum

Location

Wainuiomata Primary School, Main Road, Wainuiomata.

Website: http://www.nzmuseums.co.nz/account/3089

Opening hours

Sundays 2pm-4pm and by arrangement