Wellington Heritage Festival

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

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.