Hawke's Bay Museum

20/10/2026

🚋 From the Archives:

Napier’s tramway service officially opened in September 1913, marking a new era of public transport for the city.

This photograph captures the first tram departing from the stop outside the Post Office, heading east along Shakespeare Road. Crowds gathered to witness the historic occasion, with bicycles, cars and spectators lining the street to catch a glimpse of the new service.

The postcard also holds a personal story. On the reverse, Jane wrote a message to Winfred in December 1913, just a few months after the tramway opened.

📷 Napier’s Tramway Service. Collection of Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi [82133] Public Domain.

19/10/2026

🎥 Experience the vibrant world of Latin American and Spanish cinema at the LA&S Film Festival, coming to Century Theatre this Labour Weekend.

And even better: all film screenings are FREE! ✨
Check out what's on offer here:
👉 https://store.hawkesbaymuseum.com/event

🌟 FREE opening night film: A Poet (Colombia)

Join us on Thursday 22 October for this acclaimed Colombian film about Oscar Restrepo, an ageing poet whose life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Yurlady, a teenage girl with a talent for poetry. Could helping her nurture her gift bring new meaning to his own life?

📅 Thursday 22 October | 6:45pm
📍 Century Theatre, Napier
🎟️ FREE admission, register for your ticket: https://store.hawkesbaymuseum.com/event/add/2007

Make the most of the long weekend with a cinematic journey across Latin America and Spain. Bring a friend, discover a new favourite film, and celebrate stories and cultures from around the world. We look forward to seeing you at Century Theatre! 🍿

18/10/2026

🚒 150 years of courage, commitment and community!

For a century and a half, Napier Fire Brigade has played a vital role in protecting the people of Te Matau-a-Māui/Hawke’s Bay.

Discover the story behind this important milestone and celebrate the people who have dedicated themselves to keeping our communities safe.

📖 Read the full story on our website: https://bit.ly/4irjhIZ

🏛️ A special display of Napier Fire Brigade related collection objects is now on show in the foyer of the Hawke’s Bay Museum until 15 November, offering a closer look at this important part of our local history.

Join us in celebrating 150 years of service, bravery and dedication 🚨❤️

This month, Napier Fire Brigade proudly celebrates 150 years of “protecting and preserving” the lives of Te Matau-a-Māui/Hawke’s Bay people, by “reducing the incidence of unwanted fires and the associated risk to life and property”. Napier’s vigilant firefighters provide invaluable supp...

18/10/2026

JUST ANNOUNCED! US comedy legend, Josh Wolf, returns to NZ this summer with his brand new show, Touring Hard!

🎫 PRESALE ACCESS: Thursday 15 October @ 3pm
🎟️ GENERAL SALE: Friday 16 October @ 1pm

Get 'em at https://www.eventsinnovated.com/josh-wolf-2027

Bringing his hilarious stories and unbelievable yarns back to our shores, Josh's shows always unleash a night of absolute mayhem and non-stop laughter. Joined by his son, Jacob Wolf, the two will deliver their latest show that will entertain the sweaty summer pants off you!

Josh’s NZ shows always sell out, so don’t miss a comedic master at work – get your tix in the presale this Thursday!

Legendary US comedian, Josh Wolf, returns for his fourth NZ tour in Jan & Feb 2027! Joined by his son, Jacob Wolf, do not miss their hilarious new show this summer! Book now!

16/10/2026

🎨 From the Collection:

Francis McCracken (1879–1959) 🎨

Born in Northern Ireland and brought to New Zealand as a child, Francis McCracken’s artistic journey spanned continents, from Auckland to Edinburgh, Florence and Paris.

After studying at Elam School of Art, McCracken served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the First World War and was seriously wounded at Ypres. Following the war, he continued his artistic studies at the Royal Scottish Academy School in Edinburgh before travelling to Europe, where he encountered Cubism and studied under influential artist André Lhote.

McCracken eventually settled in Edinburgh, building an artistic legacy that continues to be recognised in galleries and private collections in New Zealand and overseas.

His work is also represented in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, which holds a self-portrait presented by the Scottish Arts Council in 1997.

📍 From the collection of Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi, [67129] Public Domain.

14/10/2026

🎬🌎 LIGHTS, CAMERA, LATIN AMERICA & SPAIN! 🇪🇸✨

Get ready for a cinematic journey across cultures on the big screen🍿

The Latin America & Spain Film Festival is coming from Thursday 22 October to Monday 26 October, celebrating contemporary cinema from Latin America and Spain.

Discover captivating stories, explore different perspectives and experience the richness and diversity of Spanish and Latin American cultures, all through the magic of film! 🎥❤️

🎟️ The best part? ALL FILMS ARE FREE!

Gather your friends, bring your love of cinema and join us for a fantastic celebration...

📅 When: Thursday 22 – Monday 26 October
🎫 Tickets: Free for all films
🔗 Book your tickets: https://store.hawkesbaymuseum.com/event

✨ Don’t miss your chance to experience the world through film 🎥

A foreign policy reporter and her Iraq veteran husband turn their sights on the hidden impact the US military has on the planet.

13/10/2026

From the Archives:

📸This photograph captures a horse-drawn coach operated by J & W Harvey of Napier, one of Hawke’s Bay’s prominent early passenger transport businesses.

J & W Harvey ran a network of horse-drawn coach services connecting Napier with communities including Petane, Eskdale, Wairoa, Patea, Waikaremoana and, later, Taupō. Some services ran daily, while longer-distance routes operated weekly or several times a week 🐴🛞

Although we can’t identify the exact route shown in this photograph, the large number of passengers and the open upper deck suggest it may have been a special excursion or sightseeing trip rather than a regular scheduled service. Harvey’s advertisements confirm that special coaches could be arranged.

The Harveys played an important role in Hawke’s Bay’s early transport history. A note on the reverse of the photograph records that J & W Harvey sold the business to H.B. Motor Co. in 1908, marking a shift towards motorised transport.

📷 Horse-Drawn Coach. Collection of Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi, [84144] Copyright: Public Domain

12/10/2026

🎉 What’s on at the museum this week?

There’s plenty happening at Hawke’s Bay Museum and Century Theatre, with films, cultural celebrations and a fantastic slice of local history to enjoy!

🎬 Show Me Shorts Film Festival – Catch The Sampler at Century Theatre and enjoy a selection of standout short films from Aotearoa and beyond.
📅Thursday 15 October, 7pm
📍Century Theatre
🎫Tickets: https://store.hawkesbaymuseum.com/event/add/2006

🪔 Diwali – Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a vibrant celebration of culture, community and traditionas local Hawke’s Bay schools take to the stage for a special dance competition . Entry is free.
📅Saturday 17 October, 1-4pm
📍Century Theatre

🎥 British & Irish Film Festival preview – Get excited for a fantastic line-up of British and Irish cinema coming soon to Century Theatre. Entry is free but registrations are essential.
📅Sunday 18 October, 11am-12pm
📍Century Theatre
🎫Registration: https://store.hawkesbaymuseum.com/event/add/2060

🚒 Fire Brigade 150th display – Discover the proud history of our local fire service, view our special collection items and celebrate the people who have kept our community safe. Entry is free.
📅Now until Sunday 15 November, daily 9.30am-5pm
📍Kahukura Hawke's Bay Museum

12/10/2026

🪶✨ Discover the beauty of kahu huruhuru! ✨🪶

Join us at Amokura Hawke’s Bay Museum in Hastings for a fascinating journey into the world of feathered taonga! 🦅

To celebrate our new exhibition, He Hononga Manu: Connecting Birds, People and Place, come along to Amokura to discover the special connections between birds, people and place in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Explore our stunning kahu huruhuru (feathered cloaks) and kete huruhuru (feathered baskets), learn about their stories and significance, and admire the beautiful feathers, intricate designs and craftsmanship.

📅 Thursday 15 October
⏰ Tour times: 11am–12pm or 1pm–2pm
📍 Amokura Hawke’s Bay Museum
🎟️ FREE ENTRY but registrations essential: https://events.humanitix.com/kahu-huruhuru-tour-fj8bzy8k/tickets

We’d love to see you there! 🐦‍⬛

11/10/2026

Discover the history that shaped our region... ⛰️

The story of Pukemokimoki Hill reveals a pivotal moment in Hawke’s Bay’s past, when a brilliant ambush reshaped local power and left its mark on the region’s history.

👉 Read the story on the Hawke’s Bay Museum website: https://bit.ly/4emdGkL