Whirinaki Whare Taonga
Monday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Tuesday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Wednesday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Thursday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Friday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Saturday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Sunday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Whether it’s dinosaurs or the Mona Lisa, Whirinaki Whare Taonga is an arts centre that simply refuses to do boring.
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise - the imposing, almost brutalist exterior dominates this corner of Fergusson Drive, its mix of plain wooden and concrete slats giving little away. Step inside - and past the glorious waft of baked goods from the in-house Dough Bakery - and it’s an entirely different proposition. A panoply of sights, sounds, and textures flow seamlessly throughout the five galleries that make up the centre, each with a revolving programme of exhibitions. With a focus on interactive experiences and family-friendly activities, laughter and chatter are constantly filling the spaces, whether it’s from a school group visiting for an art class, a gaggle of model train enthusiasts, or a jazz band playing to a relaxed audience.
It’s no wonder Whirinaki Whare Taonga manages to draw such an eclectic crowd - exhibitions in the past have ranged from dinosaurs and space photography to ceramics, impressionist paintings, superheroes, and more. And with its ability to pull in truly “blockbuster” exhibitions - think The Secrets of Mona Lisa from the Louvre, and 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic from The Smithsonian - the centre forms a pivotal part of Upper Hutt’s cultural identity.
A proud stalwart of the Upper Hutt arts scene, Whirinaki Whare Taonga aims to engage, enrich, inspire, and connect people through the arts - something it does a fine job of, judging from the hordes of people who flow through its doors every day.
Words by John Son & Photography by Anna Briggs
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Location
836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt
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