Te Pō Taniwha: A Night of Celebration!
Schedule
Sat Sep 20 2025 at 08:00 am to 01:00 pm
UTC+12:00Location
Christchurch Art Gallery | Christchurch, CA
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Join us for the opening weekend of our fiery new exhibition Whāia te Taniwha!Te Pō Taniwha
6–11pm / Foyer / FREE ENTRY
Reemerge from your winter hibernation and celebrate the opening of our new exhibition Whāia te Taniwha with a special night of music and kai. Come for a kanikani with local bands and DJs or catch up with friends over a drink and a kēmu. We’ll also be joined by some very special musical guests from Whanganui-a-Tara: Mā and Te Kahureremoa! There will be a range of food truck options, outdoor and indoor seating, bars, games and art-making activities.
About Whāia te Taniwha: https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/exhibitions/whaia-te-taniwha
Other exciting Whāia te Taniwha events on Saturday 20 September:
Pukapuka Launch
11am / Foyer / FREE ENTRY
We are excited to be launching a new pukapuka for rakatahi alongside the exhibition Whāia te Taniwha. Bring your whānau and let the writers take you on a haereka around Te Waipounamu as they read excerpts from their taniwha tales.
See event page here: https://www.facebook.com/share/19znXdFb3p/
Artist Kōrero
5pm / Philip Carter Family Auditorium / FREE ENTRY
Join our dazzling panel of Whāia te Taniwha artists Lisa Reihana, Maungarongo Te Kawa, Francine Spencer, Kahurangiariki Smith and Madison Kelly for a kōrero about their work in this major new exhibition.
See event page here: https://www.facebook.com/share/18zfPmmhvm/
Sunday 21 September:
Papamahi Tī Kōuka
10am – 1pm / Education Centre / FREE ENTRY
Visiting Whāia te Taniwha artist Louie Zalk-Neale (Ngāi Te Rangi) will guide a hands-on workshop exploring the rich whakapapa and creative potential of tī kōuka, cabbage tree. Participants will learn the significance of tī kōuka to Māori and its uses in contemporary practices, while crafting their own taoka whakarākei to take home. For adults and rakatahi age 15+, beginners and experienced kairaraka all welcome. Bookings essential.
Whāia te Taniwha
20 September 2025 – 15 February 2026
Te Puna o Waiwhetū Christchurch Art Gallery
Image Credit: Tangaroa Birch Ara-i-te-Uru (detail) 2011. Lacquer on stainless steel. Exhibition curated by Reuben Friend at
City Gallery Te Whare Toi, 26 November 2011 – 2
December 2012. Courtesy of the artist and Page Blackie
Gallery. Collection of Te Manawa Museums Trust.
Photo: Andrew Beck.
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Where is it happening?
Christchurch Art Gallery, 49 Worcester St, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand, ChristchurchEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
