Ngaio Marsh House and Heritage Trust

24/04/2026

Our friends at Carterton Library celebrated Ngaio's birthday last night with cake and authors talks! 🎂🎉

23/04/2026

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary creative forces — Dame Ngaio Marsh 🎉

A true pioneer, Ngaio was not only a world-renowned crime writer, but also a passionate theatre director who helped shape Aotearoa’s cultural landscape. From the pages of her gripping detective novels to the stage productions she brought to life, her legacy continues to inspire readers, writers, and creatives around the globe.

Here at the Ngaio Marsh House and Heritage Trust, we’re proud to care for her beautiful home and share her story with visitors every day — keeping her remarkable legacy alive for future generations.

If you’ve ever lost yourself in one of her mysteries, admired her artwork, or walked through her home, today’s the perfect day to celebrate her impact 💛

✨ Tell us — what’s your favourite Ngaio Marsh book or memory?

📸: Ngaio and her beloved cat Ptolemy - fun fact: this pic will be featured in an upcoming British Library book on the Queens of Crime!
Photo edited and refreshed by Markus Valravn Photography

20/04/2026

Two new treasures have just landed in our online shop—and they’re rather good, if we do say so ourselves.

Our beautifully crafted Ngaio Marsh House notebook is now available, alongside a striking greeting card featuring Ngaio Marsh’s 1933 painting Still Life / In the Quarry / Relief Workers. Perfect for jotting down brilliant ideas, sending thoughtful notes, or quietly judging your own handwriting.

Every purchase helps support the preservation of Ngaio Marsh’s legacy—so you can feel both stylish and virtuous.
Have a browse and treat yourself (or someone else—we won’t tell):
https://www.ngaiomarsh.org/shop-1

19/04/2026

Step into the stories that shaped Christchurch 👣✨

Join us on Sunday 26th of April for “Her City: Three Women Who Shaped Christchurch”—a guided journey through the homes and legacies of three extraordinary women: Ngaio Marsh, Jane Deans, and Kate Sheppard.

From creativity and culture to courage and change, explore the places where their stories unfolded—brought to life by expert guides in an intimate, small-group experience.

🏡 Three iconic homes
🎭 Rich storytelling
💬 A relaxed, immersive day out

🎟️ Book your place now: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/her-city-three-women-who-shaped-christchurch-no-2-tickets-1987182503361?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Because Christchurch wasn’t just built—it was shaped by women.

31/03/2026

🖤 A Birthday Worth Celebrating… in Style

April marks the birthday month of the incomparable Ngaio Marsh — and we’re celebrating the Queen of Crime with a special you won’t want to miss.

For April only, our beautifully crafted Ngaio Marsh quote tote bags are just $15 (usually $20).

Practical, timeless, and just a little bit literary — the perfect companion for bookshops, markets, or your next mystery novel haul.

🎁 Whether you're treating yourself or buying for a fellow book lover, this is your moment.

🛒 Shop now:
https://www.ngaiomarsh.org/product-page/ngaio-marsh-tote-bag

⏳ Offer valid until 30 April — because even the best clues don’t last forever.

Carry a piece of literary heritage wherever you go. This natural canvas tote features a striking illustration and a timeless quote from Dame Ngaio Marsh — a quiet statement for those who believe in the power of a good book. Durable, lightweight, and generously sized at 37cm W x 40cm H, it’s perf...

27/02/2026

Thanks to the generous support of the PA Dallimore Family Trust, we are delighted to be able to share with visitors the Henry V Stage Plan with annotations by Ngaio Marsh for her production to celebrate the opening of the James Hay Theatre at the Christchurch Town Hall in 1972.
You can find the staging and lighting concept plan hanging in Dame Ngaio’s ground floor writing studio. Do book a tour soon to see this historic treasure in one of New Zealand’s most memorable historic house museums.
Trustee David Chambers inspects the stage plan during its conservation.

Credit: Markus Valravn Photography

24/09/2025

Tomorrow night is the Ngaio Marsh Awards, hosted by our friends at WORD Christchurch! Tickets are still on sale so why not add a splash of mystery to your Thursday night?

20/09/2025

That's a wrap on the Deadly Deals Book Sale! A huge thank you to everyone who came down to the sale, those that bought a raffle ticket, shared our posts, or donated books! The Like and Share winner was Danielle Steer so huge congrats to her!

The 3 raffle winners are being notified this afternoon and we will announce it in a post shortly after they have all been made aware.

19/09/2025

We are all go! 2 rooms of books, delicious sausages and piping hot coffee at Avebury House for the Deadly Deals Book Sale! 10am to 2pm today!

19/09/2025

Want to win tickets to this show? Buy a raffle ticket for $5 AND support a good cause while you're at it!

18/09/2025

Our Deadly Deals Book Sale is in today's edition of The Press, alongside a photo of the one and only Ngaio!

📚🎉 Tomorrows the big day! Grab a bargain on books, enter our raffle and get a coffee and sausage sizzle while you're at it!

📅 Saturday 20th September
🕑 10am to 2pm
📍 Avebury House, Richmond, Christchurch

See you there!