Te Toi Uku - Crown Lynn & Clayworks Museum

04/09/2026

Ernest Shufflebotham arrived in New Zealand in 1948, bought over by Crown Lynn to help produce a more upmarket style of ceramics, alongside other designers such as Frank Carpay and Daniel Steenstra.

Trained in Britain by Keith Murray while working at Wedgewood, Shufflebotham brought a new style of ceramics to Crown Lynn, characterised by experimental hand-thrown shapes and a signature soft, creamy white glaze. Shufflebotham's vase designs sold well, but by the mid-1950s, the market changed, and he lost his job, returning to Britain to work at Wedgwood. Although his time at Crown Lynn was short, his work went on to become highly collectable.

If you would like to read more about Ernset Shufflebotham head to our website: https://www.tetoiuku.org.nz/stories/ernest-shufflebotham-2/

04/09/2026

How gorgeous do these finished cups look!?

After being skilfully glazed & fired by Richard Naylor, they are ready to be drunk from.

Thank you, Richard, for another fantastic workshop!

26/08/2026

Wearable Crown Lynn - Te Toi Uku & Whare Hau Ako

Discover the art of turning vintage Crown Lynn pottery into beautiful handmade jewellery.

In this hands-on workshop, you'll transform reclaimed pottery into contemporary jewellery using a range of jewellery-making techniques. Each piece carries its own history, making your creation both meaningful and sustainable.

Tuesday 8th September | 10am - 12.30pm
Te Toi Uku - Crown Lynn & Clay Museum, 8 Ambrico Place, New Lynn

A payment of $10 is required to reserve your spot.
Participants must be 18+.

Please book your spot at https://events.humanitix.com/wearable_crown_lynn. Contact [email protected] with any queries.

Ngā mihi nui to the Whau Local Board for their support.

19/08/2026

This event is currently fully booked, please contact [email protected] if you would like to be added to the waitlist.

Please join us inside the recently restored Ambrico kiln for an artist talk by ceramicist John Parker.

John’s ceramics, currently displayed within the kiln, are spectacular examples of his refined, minimalistic style. The ceramics also showcase the parallel between John’s work and the hand-thrown vases of Ernest Shufflebotham – potter for Crown Lynn between 1948 and 1957.

Join us on Saturday 12th of September from 11-12pm to learn about the art practice of one of Aotearoa's leading studio potters, followed by coffee and croissants.

Spaces limited, $5 koha. Please register here: https://events.humanitix.com/artist-talk-john-parker

19/08/2026

We had so much fun at Richard Naylor Ceramics' yunomi workshop on Saturday!

Each participant created two of their very own cups using traditional Japanese techniques. The cups will be glazed & fired by Richard, and will be ready to use in a couple of weeks time! We can't wait to see what they will look like once finished.

If you would be interested in a future workshop with Richard, please email [email protected] to register.

Ngā mihi to Richard & Anne for being such wonderful teachers!

13/08/2026

Kia ora all,

If you are planning on visiting us this Saturday, we want to let you know that we are hosting a workshop in the Museum from 10-12.30pm.

This means Te Toi Uku will be quite busy during that time. If you are planning a quiet museum visit, pop by in the afternoon.

Please get in touch if you have any queries! Ngā mihi nui, Te Toi Uku team.

12/08/2026

This Saturday...!! Create your new favourite cup!

There are still a couple of spots left for Richard Naylor Ceramics' workshop - email [email protected] today to secure your spot.

📆 Saturday 15 August, 10am – 12.30pm
📍Te Toi Uku – Crown Lynn & Clay Museum, 8 Ambrico Place, New Lynn
🎟️ $120 per person

Head to the event page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1bLxEsZCYT/

07/08/2026

As part of the Ambrico kiln’s centennial anniversary, Te Toi Uku has published a booklet on the kiln and its history.

From the establishment of the Gardner Bros & Parker brickworks in 1902, to the recognition of the kiln’s heritage status in the 1980s, this booklet covers the story through to present day. With stunning archival images scattered throughout, this publication is a real treasure.

If you would like to learn more about this iconic heritage building, visit us at the Museum. The booklet is available for purchase for $15, both online and in store. https://www.tetoiuku.org.nz/product/the-ambrico-kiln-te-toi-uku/

Ngā mihi for supporting our mahi at Te Toi Uku!

This booklet was researched and written by Willa Langeveld. Designed by Studio Katie Kerr.

07/08/2026

This Saturday! We still have a couple of spots - book in to spend a fun couple of hours making your very own taonga!

Hey Rangatahi!

Join Cass and Tyler from Whare Hau Ako for a free hands-on workshop at Te Toi Uku – Crown Lynn & Clay Museum.

In this three-hour workshop, you'll create your own polymer clay taonga and transform it into unique wearable art to keep or gift to someone special.

Who: Young people aged 14+
Cost: Free
Registration essential via https://events.humanitix.com/rangatahi-polymer-clay-workshop

Spend a Saturday afternoon being creative and make something cool to take home.

This workshop is proudly supported by the Whau Local Board.

Questions? Email: [email protected]