Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Toitū Otago Settlers Museum One of New Zealand's most significant social history museums Encounter history at the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. FREE entry.
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Learn about the people whose character, culture, technology, art, fashion,
and transport shaped New Zealand’s First Great City, Dunedin. Open daily 10am-5pm except Christmas Day. Charges may apply to special exhibitions. We welcome your comments and discussion on our page. Please be polite and respectful with your comments and views. Any comments or posts which contain profanities are automatical

ly blocked from our page and we may remove comments which are disrespectful, abusive or considered spam. This page is not to be used for electioneering – any election campaign related posts will be removed. Social media posts, messages and responses are records and may be retained under the Public Records Act. Personal data is subject to the DCC’s Privacy Statement – www.dunedin.govt.nz/privacypolicy

Spinning with Josephine!The Dunedin Spinners and Weavers Guild meet monthly at Toitū. Join them to see how it’s all don...
14/06/2026

Spinning with Josephine!

The Dunedin Spinners and Weavers Guild meet monthly at Toitū. Join them to see how it’s all done and learn about the traditional arts of weaving, spinning, and knitting.

10am – 12pm, Wednesday 17 June
Josephine Foyer
Free

Image: Josephine on display at Toitū with a spinning wheel in the foreground.

🧶 It’s happening TODAY! Knit in Public Day 🧵Looking for a cosy way to spend your morning? Come join us for Worldwide Kni...
12/06/2026

🧶 It’s happening TODAY! Knit in Public Day 🧵

Looking for a cosy way to spend your morning? Come join us for Worldwide Knit in Public Day right here in Dunedin! 💚

Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or totally new, this is your chance to relax, connect, and get creative with the wonderful Dunedin Spinners and Weavers Guild.

✨ Learn about the magic of wool
✨ Explore its role in a sustainable future
✨ Give knitting a go (or just enjoy the vibe!)

🧶 Bring your own supplies or borrow some — everyone’s welcome!

📍 Josephine Foyer
⏰ 10am – 12pm
💚 Free entry

Te Tiriti o Waitangi includes the signatures of Kāi Tahu rangitira Kōrako and Karetai, signed at Otago Harbour on 13 Jun...
11/06/2026

Te Tiriti o Waitangi includes the signatures of Kāi Tahu rangitira Kōrako and Karetai, signed at Otago Harbour on 13 June 1840. This was four months after the signing by many North Island iwi at Waitangi. Other signatures representing Kāi Tahu were gathered at Ruapuke Island and Akaroa Harbour.

As noted by Te Rūnanga o Otākōu: The premise in their hearts and minds was that they accepted that under the Treaty they would retain their lands and have equal protection and rights as British citizens. The ongoing political struggle over the disregard to the promises agreed to in Te Tiriti o Waitangi would continue for over one hundred and fifty years.

Images:
- Section of Te Tiriti with southern iwi signatures. Credit: Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga.
- Otago Harbour from Pukekura. Credit: Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.

🧶 Knit in Public Day is THIS Saturday! Join us as we celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day with a relaxed, social morni...
10/06/2026

🧶 Knit in Public Day is THIS Saturday!

Join us as we celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day with a relaxed, social morning of all things yarn!

🧵Whether you’ve been knitting for years or have never picked up a pair of needles, come along and have a yarn with the wonderful Dunedin Spinners and Weavers Guild.

✨ Learn about the magic of wool
✨ Discover its role in a more sustainable future
✨ Try your hand at knitting (or just enjoy the company!)

Bring your own supplies or borrow from the guild—everyone’s welcome!

📅 This Saturday, 13 June
⏰ 10am – 12pm
📍 Josephine Foyer
🧶 Free

Drop in, get inspired, and connect with fellow makers 💚

🧶 Get Crafty This Saturday! Celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day with a hands-on, creative session at the museum!🎨Deco...
09/06/2026

🧶 Get Crafty This Saturday!

Celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day with a hands-on, creative session at the museum!

🎨Decorate your own vintage wooden knitting spool, then learn how to use it to create your very first knitted cord using this simple, old-fashioned technique.
Perfect for kids, beginners, and anyone keen to get creative with fibre arts—these charming Knitting Nancys are as fun to use as they are to design!

🎉 Drop in, get colourful, and have a corking good time!

📅 This Saturday, 13 June
⏰ 10am – 12pm
📍 Josephine Foyer
🧵 Free (while supplies last)

Come along and make something uniquely yours!

🌊 Explore the Otago Peninsula like never before🌿Step into the story of one of our region’s most treasured landscapes at ...
05/06/2026

🌊 Explore the Otago Peninsula like never before

🌿Step into the story of one of our region’s most treasured landscapes at this month’s Tuesday Club. Join Otakou local, ecologist and conservationist Hoani Langsbury as he shares “Through My Eyes: The Past, Present and Future of the Otago Peninsula”

From its volcanic origins to its rich human and wildlife history, you’ll be taken on a fascinating journey spanning from the early arrivals around 1350 AD through to today.

☕ Enjoy refreshments and a relaxed opportunity to connect with Otago Settlers Association members before the talk.

📅 Tuesday 9 June
⏰ 10.15am
📍 Toitū Auditorium
🎟️Gold coin donation (members) | $5 non-members

Come along, bring a friend, and discover the stories that shape our peninsula.

30/05/2026

Episode 76 of Talking Pictures picks up where we left off last time, revisiting the studio of Edinburgh photographer and portrait painter John Horsburgh in search of more works with Otago connections.

🌿 Looking for something a little different this Sunday?✨ Come along to a relaxed afternoon of music and movement with Ba...
30/05/2026

🌿 Looking for something a little different this Sunday?

✨ Come along to a relaxed afternoon of music and movement with Balfolk Dunedin in the light-filled Josephine Foyer.

💃 Curious but not sure what to expect? No problem — each dance is gently introduced so you can jump in and enjoy at your own pace.

🎶 Balfolk Dunedin — a fresh take on traditional folk dancing.

🕑 2pm – 3.30pm, Sunday 31 May
📍 Josephine Foyer, Free

💚 Bring a friend or just bring your curiosity and give it a go.

🎉 Happy 150th birthday to Speight's from the team at Toitū!✨ We can’t exactly pop this giant wooden 'bottle' open to cel...
26/05/2026

🎉 Happy 150th birthday to Speight's from the team at Toitū!

✨ We can’t exactly pop this giant wooden 'bottle' open to celebrate (though apparently someone in the past once had a crack at it with an axe), but we can still raise it to toast you on your sesquicentennial.

🥳The bottle is thought to have come from the old Blueskin Hotel in Evansdale and was gifted to Toitū a couple of years ago. We haven’t found the right spot to put it on display just yet, so we figured this milestone was the perfect excuse to share it with you here instead.

All Images: Collection of Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

24/05/2026

Thanks to Dunedin Harmony Chorus for their enjoyable performance today. Many a boat was rowed today. 🚣 😊

Address

31 Queens Gardens
Dunedin
9016

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+6434775052

Website

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