Toi Warbrick

20/07/2026

⚽️ They are partying in the town opposite Palmerston North, in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, España.

To join in, from the "other side of the world", stand on Church Street, outside the Red Cross Read Books store, opposite their Plaza Real.

Ayuntamiento San Martín de Valdeiglesias

04/07/2026

An ancient waiata about Tautu and his huia was the basis of some key design decisions for Massey’s newest vet school building. It was a total pleasure to work with CCM Architects on behalf of Rangitāne o Manawatū.

20/06/2026

National Taonga Pūoro Makers Wānanga ✨

📆 14–17 Hūrae 2026
📌 Tauranga

Join us for a unique four-day immersive wānanga designed for people with some experience in whakairo and/or hanga taonga pūoro. Guided by leading kaiwhakairo taonga pūoro, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their skills, share knowledge, explore traditional practices, and connect with fellow makers from across Aotearoa. This kaupapa will be hands-on making and crafting of taonga pūoro.

Nā reira, nau mai, haere mai.

If you're interested in attending, please complete the registration form here https://forms.gle/jEmf3GkG1GPUxbWk9

18/05/2026

On International Museum Day we reminisce about the time when, for one day only, we set up The Little Museum of Domestic Hand Tools on Cuba Street during Wellington's PARK(ing) Day event. We asked Wellingtonians to choose two words to determine which one of four small suitcases would be open for our conversation about tools. We were thrilled to be given the Judges' Choice Award for our quiet installation on a buzzy, busy Cuba Street at the end of Summer (28 Feb 2026). We first presented at PARK(ing) Day in 2016. Thanks to the Wellington Sculpture Trust.


📷 Wellington City Council

10/04/2026

Our final event for the - tomorrow at 3pm. Inspired by some of our experiences at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, call by for 20 mins between 3-4pm and co-exist in both 1926 and today.

100 years ago the war memorial in Te Marae o Hine - The Square was unveiled by the Prime Minister, J.G. Coates. Join us tomorrow to hear one, or all three, speeches given at the unveiling ceremony - a reinterpretation by THEN :: Histories of Pāmutana, involving the voices of three women, and 100 year old reporting in the Manawatū Standard. It's a drop-in session between 3-4pm on Sat 11 April. The weather forecast is ... 🌞. Bring your cellphone, consider bringing headphones (to connect to your cellphone or bluetooth-capable), or use our tech, including paper speech notes.

Find us at the war memorial in the centre of Te Marae o Hine - The Square.

Heritage Festival event listing:
https://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/whats-on/activity/sorrowing-mothers

📷 A composite image including elements of the war memorial, and a portrait of Jimmy Nash, Member of Parliament in 1926. He was another of the speech-givers. Can you guess who the third was?

07/04/2026

Update: 🌧 Due to the forecast downpour, join us at 2pm tomorrow (Thursday). Free tickets available until midday: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/the-lost-monument2/palmerston-north

Join us tomorrow to play 'The Lost Monument' and solve the whodunit-style, real-life historical mystery!

1. Take a self-led tour with the game booklet.
2. Answer a question correctly and receive an old postcard showing your next location to receive a clue.
3. Consider who knows what may have happened to our first monument (which is YET to arrive, true story)
4. Test your hypnosis and solve the mystery!

Date: Wed 8 April
Time options: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Duration: 30 - 45 mins
Location: Outside Palmerston North isite Visitor Centre in Te Marae o Hine - The Square
Tickets are free. Register before 11am: https://bit.ly/TheLostMonument-HF2026

With support from Earle Trust and with thanks to Palmerston North City Library for including this event in the festival.

24/03/2026

Join us at 6pm tonight at the Palmerston North City Library: Ngatai Taepa with 'Kōwhaiwhai - A lifelong pursuit, as part of the Heritage Festival 2026.

"Professor Ngataiharuru Taepa, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, is a Toi Māori practitioner who comes from the tribes of Te Atiawa, Te Arawa, Kahungungu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne. Born into a family of artists, Ngatai has explored the art form of kōwhaiwhai for most of his life and has called Te Papaioea home since 1999."

Professor Ngataiharuru Taepa, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, is a Toi Māori practitioner who comes from the tribes of Te Atiawa, Te Arawa, Kahungungu ki Wairarapa and Rangitāne. Born into a family of artists, Ngatai has explored the art form of kōwhaiwhai for most of his life and has...

19/03/2026

Final walk of the season: Tomorrow
invites you to an afternoon walk with artist Warren Warbrick at at 2.30pm on Fri 20 March. Discover the pūrākau behind the epic mahi toi / art and design elements of the highway. It's a mostly flat terrain - we don't walk UP the hill 😅

🖥 Te Hīkoi Toi - Event info: https://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/whats-on/activity/te-h%C4%ABkoi-toi-at-te-ahu-a-turanga-highway2

🎟 Register for FREE tickets: https://bit.ly/TeHikoiToi-20March

🖥 All the other Heritage Festival events:
https://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/whats-on/programme/heritage-festival

Recent Te Hīkoi Toi participants:

Vicky said, "We both really enjoyed the walk and found it very informative. The presentation was excellent and art work amazing".

Sharon said, "We had such a wonderful time on the tour. It was really interesting, and so much more meaningful to understand a little more about the significance and stories behind the artworks. We all loved it. We'll definitely be recommending your tours to other people".

🗓 While our public walks at the highway have come to an end until Summer 2027, we can meet with your group during the year for on-demand visits to the highway, Te Marae o Hine - The Square, and at other locations in the city. Message us or email [email protected]. Mauri ora!

📍While you are here ... advance notice about a walk with a difference: We are running, 'The Lost Monument', on Wed 8 April (three afternoon sessions) in Te Marae o Hine - The Square.
For more info and register for FREE tickets: https://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/whats-on/activity/the-lost-monument2026

15/03/2026

Warren Warbrick holds a map. The map lists artworks made by Warren and others. Warren sits in front of an artwork by Warren Warbrick. Find out more - grab a map from Palmerston North City Library or online before 12 April.

📷 Virginia Warbrick

It's and we've made a map you can access anytime during the festival, until 12 April. We've gathered together public art which remembers more than 20 people associated with our rohe / area.

Pou, and other sculptural forms, featuring tīpuna have been made by toi Māori practitioners such as John Bevan Ford, Hemi Te Peeti, Craig Kawana and Warren Warbrick.

🚲🚗 Determine your own self-led tour to one or more of eight sites in the city. Share your experience by scanning the QR code on the map so we can make an even better map for !

🖥 Find out more and access the pdf:
https://citylibrary.pncc.govt.nz/whats-on/activity/figures-of-p%C4%81mutana-a-new-self-led-tour

📍 Pick up a paper map at Central Library.

📷 Photo by Virginia Warbrick of Warren Warbrick with a "Figures of Pāmutana" map, seated in front of the sculpture remembering Hoani Meihana Te Rangiotu.

12/03/2026

The current forecast for Saturday is for rain and wind. The good news is we can still visit highway mahi toi in light rain and winds, and mild temperatures. The better news is that the forecast is likely to improve, based on our experience of following MetService New Zealand forecasts in relation to Te Āpiti weather! We have 8 tickets left for 6pm Saturday and heaps more for Fri 20 Mar, 2.30pm.

We will close Saturday registrations as soon as we reach our limit. We will also confirm with everyone registered about the walk going ahead (or not) at midday on Saturday. If you are thinking about coming on Saturday, don't delay in registering 🤓

We use sound amplification and the walk is almost flat - we don't walk up the hill! Register (and read the fine print) online at:

🗓 Saturday: https://bit.ly/TeHikoiToi-14March
(The tour that ends at sunset)

🗓 Friday: https://bit.ly/TeHikoiToi-20March
(If you arrive early enough, there is time for coffee, ice cream or a snack at Gorge Quarter before the tour begins)

It is free for you to register thanks to Palmerston North City Library and the Heritage Festival.

📷 at Tuia Te Maunga on Parahaki Bridge. Virginia Warbrick, 2026.