The Friends Of Tairawhiti Museum

08/10/2026

Some fun planned over at Lysnar House (adjacent to Tairāwhiti Museum) this weekend. 😀

05/10/2026

SHOW ‘N TELL: The Friends of Tairāwhiti Museum’s recent artists talk turned into a real show and tell with members of Gisborne Printmakers not just telling our audience about their work, but also showing how they made it. So interesting! So fun! Thanks printmakers! And keep your eyes peeled as we’ve got more talks in the pipeline . . . 😀❤️

09/09/2026

A FAMILY . . . Friday’s opening at Tairāwhiti Museum was not quite a “family affair” – as the exhibition was named – with one member of the family (Holly) held up by airline delays. But she got there! In the meantime, Gary (uncle) and Colin (dad) were great hosts, showing guests around their offerings of paintings, prints and ceramics. And they’ll be back to give a Friends of Tairāwhiti Museum Artists Talk at the end of November, just before it all comes to a close. Thanks, fam! 😊❤️

03/09/2026

IT’S TONIGHT, FRIENDS! We sure will miss dear Phyllis but are delighted that sons Gary and Colin, and granddaughter Holly, are keeping up the family tradition. Their exhibition, A Family Affair, opens at Tairāwhiti Museum tonight (5.30pm) with offerings of paintings, prints and ceramics. And it’s been a long time between drinks . . . it was 1994 when Friends Life Member Phyllis and her boys had their last joint show, so we’re really looking forward to the younger Underdowns’ latest outing. Nau mai, haere mai . . . we’ll see you there! 😀❤️

27/08/2026

IT’S THIS WEEKEND, FRIENDS! Printmaking is, indeed, 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration and at 2pm this Saturday, August 29 we get to learn just how much sweat-equity went into the Gisborne Printmakers’ 50th-anniversary show, Mahi Tahi. Join us for the second in the Friends of Tairāwhiti Museum’s winter series of artist talks, when – after an intro from group matriarch Jean Johnston (pictured) – the eight (count ‘em!) printmakers in the gallery will tell us about what inspired their pieces in the exhibition, and how they made them. It’s going to be a good one (especially for you technique-heads) so nau mai, haere mai . . . the talks are open to all, they’re free, they’re fun, and we’d love to see you there! 😀❤️

23/08/2026

LOOKING GOOD, FRIENDS! After an epic weekend of work, Adrian Clarke and his Gisborne Carpets crew on Sunday finished laying new carpet in Tairāwhiti Museum’s foyer, café and concourse areas . . . just in time for tomorrow’s round of culture, coffee and cake. Adrian says his family business last replaced the carpet in 2010 – 16 years ago! – so it’s given great service for a floor tromped by more than 45,000 visitors a year. It’s looking good, Friends! ❤️

17/08/2026

IT’S (NOT) THIS WEEKEND, FRIENDS: Due to the laying of some much-needed new carpet the museum will be closed this weekend, so the Friends of Tairāwhiti Museum have had to postpone the second of its Winter Series of artist talks. But never fear . . . the floor discussion from Jean Johnston (pictured) and her printmaker chums has been rescheduled for the following Saturday (August 29, 2pm). And with Gisborne Printmakers celebrating 50 years of arty activity, it’s going to be a good one. So nau mai, haere mai . . . the talks are open to all, they’re free, they’re fun, and we’d love to see you there! 😀

10/08/2026

It’s tonight, Friends (and potential Friends)! 😊

IT’S AGM TIME! Last month’s floor talk from artist/curator Peter Ireland was a good ‘un, and organising those in-gallery convos is just part of what your Friends Of Tairāwhiti Museum gets up to. And now it’s AGM time. FoTM’s annual general meeting is on Tuesday, August 11 (5pm) at the museum and we’d love to see you there. We’d also love to see some new faces around the table so, if you’re interested in joining the committee (particularly anyone keen to be our new secretary), just message us here. You could be part of supporting the museum team in doing the wonderful work they do, and help make decisions around new additions to the collection. Nau mai, haere mai . . . come and join your Friends! 😊❤️

03/08/2026

IT’S AGM TIME! Last month’s floor talk from artist/curator Peter Ireland was a good ‘un, and organising those in-gallery convos is just part of what your Friends Of Tairāwhiti Museum gets up to. And now it’s AGM time. FoTM’s annual general meeting is on Tuesday, August 11 (5pm) at the museum and we’d love to see you there. We’d also love to see some new faces around the table so, if you’re interested in joining the committee (particularly anyone keen to be our new secretary), just message us here. You could be part of supporting the museum team in doing the wonderful work they do, and help make decisions around new additions to the collection. Nau mai, haere mai . . . come and join your Friends! 😊❤️