Matatau

7 NOV - 25 APR | ART GALLERY | FREE
Bringing together the graduating artists of Toioho ki Āpiti, the Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts programme at Massey University.

Plan your visit

Image: Nyle Turuwhenua, We are Tūhoe (detail) 2026

Ngā Whakaahua
Exhibitions and Activities

Featured
Kura Te Waru-Rewiri
Aug 8
Kura Te Waru-Rewiri

Encounter new works by Kura Te Waru-Rewiri that are a connection to artist Marilynn Webb and experience the artist’s creative practice through other works across time.

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Emily Hartley-Skudder: CAMEO
Aug 22
Emily Hartley-Skudder: CAMEO

Bringing together pristine, still life paintings of cleaning products, she-wees and baby bottles with surreal constructions, Emily Hartley-Skudder’s latest body of work responds to Palmerston North’s beloved public toilets, Ladies Rest, in Te Marae o Hine, the Square.

Emily Hartley-Skudder is the inaugural recipient of the Fair Trust Art Prize.

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Pūtake - The source and foundation
Sept 12
Pūtake - The source and foundation

Kete Huaki 2026 by Hera Maxwell, Ngāti Mutunga

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Matatau 2026
Nov 7
Matatau 2026

Work of graduating artists from the Toioho ki Āpiti, Bachelor of Māori arts degree at Massey University. The artists reflect on interconnected aspects of mana, such as identity, belonging, memory, environmental responsibility and social agency.

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Paraikete Whero
Nov 21
Paraikete Whero

Paraikete Whero is an exhibition of blankets carrying histories of Aotearoa and visions for our future. Wāhine from around Manawatū and Te Tai Tokerau offer their unique perspectives on the intergenerational impacts of colonisation and the restorative effects of collective stitching.

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Wātaka takunetanga
Upcoming events

Featured
Baby Steps Art Tour
Nov 6
Baby Steps Art Tour

On the first Friday of every month, bring your baby in a front pack or buggy to the art gallery for a short tour with one of the exhibition curators!

Baby Steps is a relaxed and social setting for caregivers of infants and young toddlers. It is a great chance to learn about the curious world of contemporary art and meet other like-minded people caring for little ones. Enjoy a 20-minute tour and stay for a free morning tea and chats. This is a drop-in event with no booking required.

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Matatau 2026 kōrero
Nov 7
Matatau 2026 kōrero

Nyle Turuwhenua, We are Tūhoe (detail) 2026

Join graduating artists from the Toioho ki Āpiti, Bachelor of Māori arts degree at Massey University

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Home-based educator Mornings - TERM 4
Nov 26
Home-based educator Mornings - TERM 4

Te Manawa welcomes home‑based educators in Palmerston North to join us for our 2026 Home‑based Educator Mornings.

These drop‑in sessions will run on the last Thursday of each month until November, from 10am – 11am.

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Ngā Taonga
Collection

Featured
iPhone - believe the hype
iPhone - believe the hype

Professor Bob O’Driscoll was one of the founding members of the Science Centre. He was also a lifelong tech enthusiast and was among the first people in the world to buy an iPhone. That device is now in the Te Manawa collection. Rob Mildon spoke with Bob in 2016 ahead of the Nova exhibition which featured that very phone (now on display in Manawatū Journeys).

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Stories about objects
Stories about objects

The Mina McKenzie Kete was created by young Rongotea weaver, Cassandra Archer, in 2023. It is currently on display as part of Te Manawa’s exhibit: ‘Keeping the Taonga Warm – The Legacy of Mina McKenzie’. Historian Dr Tanja Rother spoke with Cassandra to find out the story behind the kete.

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Ngā Kōrero
Stories

Featured
Emily Hartley-Skudder: CAMEO — Te Manawa Museum
Emily Hartley-Skudder: CAMEO — Te Manawa Museum

A major new art prize designed to fuel bold artistic ambition will make its debut when CAMEO, an exhibition by Wellington contemporary artist Emily Hartley-Skudder, opens on 22 August.

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National Art Prize Taking Aotearoa NZ Artist To The Next Level
National Art Prize Taking Aotearoa NZ Artist To The Next Level

Acclaimed contemporary carver Ngaroma Riley has been awarded the $40,000 Fair Trust Art Prize

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