Events

Celebrate Matariki with us 20th June 2025 - 21st June 2025

Matariki signals the Maaori New Year. It is a time of renewal and celebration in Aotearoa New Zealand that begins with the rising of the Matariki star cluster.

This year, Matariki will be acknowledged with two days of whaanau fun here at Te Whare Taonga. We're proud to be part of the Matariki Ki Waikato Festival with events across Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

Free entry.

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Caregivers can bond with their children while enhancing their social, cognitive, motor and musical skills.

Storytime Puaawai takes place during term time only:

Tuesdays, 10.30-11.15am, Central Library

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A great line up of events on each month at Last Place!

Monthly Open Late sessions.

Instead of closing at 5pm, Te Whare Taonga will be open until 9pm so that you can enjoy the exhibitions after-hours.

With drinks and nibbles available to purchase from our bar, you can get in the groove with a DJ or live music. Each month we'll have a new floor talk or panel discussion to get ideas sparking as you check out the galleries.Come by and make a night of it with Open Late at the Museum!

Schedule

Wednesday 28th May: Dive into Ripples with Sasha from He Koniahi Story Circle.

Wednesday 25th June: A Matariki spectacular featuring a panel discussion on Toi Maaori.

Wednesday 30th July: Winter chill special.

Wednesday 27th August: The insider's guide to the National Contemporary Art Award.

Free entry.

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The French Film Festival Aotearoa is returning to Lido Cinema screens on May 28th With a gala screening of the wonderful, Monsieur Aznavour, followed by 3 weeks of the very best films that France has to offer.

Find out what's on in the central city in June!

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The ‘Downtown Musicals’ Jr. sessions aim to provide a platform for up-and-coming theatre performers aged 9 to 17 to gain experience and confidence singing in front of audiences.

The Jr. sessions are wheelchair accessible and family friendly.

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Phenomenal multi-platinum rockers DEVILSKIN are fired up and ready to bring the heat as they hit the road this May, embarking on a mammoth winter jaunt traversing the length and breadth of New Zealand.

With a new album in the making, the beloved NZ rockers are full of enlivened energy, and psyched up to reconnect with the most passionate, hard rock fans across the country for an epic mid-year rock tour de force coming your way this May, June and July.

Devilskin have proven time and again that they are adept at curating a killer live line-up, and for the RE-EVOLUTION TOUR fans can expect another evening of powerhouse rock with two very special guests on board for the entire tour: three-time Tui Award winners VILLAINY, and alt-rock duo MIDWAVE BREAKS

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Fresh off critically acclaimed runs at the Edinburgh, Toronto, and Vancouver Fringe Festivals—and following a sold-out national tour across Canada—the Filipino son of New Zealand comedy returns home with his latest hour, hitting stages across Aotearoa.

What actually matters in life? What should we truly care about? And what do these questions have to do with a breakfast chocolate rice pudding?

Kiwi-Filipino comedy veteran James Roque serves up an hour of his trademark sweet-and-salty stand-up.

RUNNER UP – Best of the Fest Award – Vancouver Fringe 2024

“A hilarious, heartwarming stand-up hour” ★★★★ The Wee Review (UK)
“The epitome of slick… a comic at ease onstage” ★★★★ Chortle (UK)
“Exceptional” ★★★★★ Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe (UK)
“A masterful storyteller…clearly a star” – Parton and Pearl (CANANDA)

As seen on
Just For Laughs
Over 50 million views on Instagram and TikTok

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