Museum at Te Ahu

09/10/2026

Aroreretini noun: used in reference to having ADHD.
Origin: te reo Māori, literal translation 'attention goes to many things'.
TE AHU MUSEUM & ARCHIVES supports “A Community of Support,” the official theme for ADHD Awareness Month October 2026 highlighting connection, shared experiences, and accessible resources for people with ADHD.

We are planning a series of Sensory Sessions here at Te Ahu Museum - if you have ideas or have been to a similar session at an Art Gallery or Museum please share what you enjoyed most or helpful ideas that we can look at including... & keep your eyes on our page for the dates tbc :)

ADHD Awareness Month is observed every year in October, an international campaign that runs from 1–31 October. It focuses on raising awareness, reducing stigma, and supporting people with ADHD, we have localised resources and events in Aotearoa provided by ADHD New Zealand.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) noun: is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts the part of our brain that helps us to plan, control impulses, and execute tasks.

28/09/2026

Thank you Switzer Kaitaia for bringing a special trio of visitors to Te Ahu Museum & sharing these lovely photos. Great idea to combine the visit with activities scheduled to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - if you plan to do this next year our staff can prepare a special tour for you. Always happy to hear ideas from the many communities across Te HIku o te Ika :) Nau mai haere mai.

15/09/2026

Nau mai ki te tautoko te Wiki o te Reo Māori ~ today after school there is an exciting workshop at Kaitāia library run by Kamalani, seen here promoting mahi across our regions libraries collectively known as He Puna Mārama. Join us & take home a little taonga made with your own hands & creativity!

14/07/2026

Tautoko ngā mihi kua mihia ~ Te Ahu Museum extends our aroha to the family & would like to acknowledge all of the good & kind sentiments shared in tribute to Sir Sam Neill.

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage acknowledges the passing of Sir Sam Neill (1947–2026).

We pay tribute to his extraordinary contribution to arts, culture, and screen. Through a remarkable career spanning film and television, he helped share New Zealand storytelling and talent with audiences around the world.

Moe mai rā Sir Sam.

Image: Sam Neill at the launch of Te Ara's Creative and Intellectual Life theme, 2014 (Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage)

10/07/2026

"Ka mahuta a Matariki i te pae, ka tukuna ō tātou tūmanako ki te tau hou" "When Matariki rises above the horizon, our aspirations rise to the year ahead."- King Charles III

The King has sent a message of goodwill to New Zealand for Matariki, reflecting on the Māori New Year as "a connecting thread that draws us together".

09/07/2026

Tērā a Matariki ka rewa i te pae, nau mai hoki mai hua o te tau hou!
There is Matariki rising on the horizon, welcome returning symbol of the New Year!
Manawatia ā te TAETAE, MATALIKI, MATALI’I, MATAALI’I, MATARI’I, MAKARI’I.. MATARIKI 🌟🌺✨

08/07/2026

Tautoko! A great way to celebrate Matariki is to think about how you can reduce harmful impacts on our Taiao. Te Ahu Museum supports this global movement & encourages everyone who enjoys the longevity of taonga in our Far North Regional Museum to consider how to be part of Plastic Free July - respecting our natural world is respecting our cultural heritage. Manawahia Matariki 🌟

Far North communities are invited to be part of Plastic Free July – a global movement encouraging people to reduce single-use plastics through simple, everyday choices.

08/07/2026

Matariki Herenga Waka - All are welcome to celebrate this years theme for Matariki is about inclusivity, ‘Herenga Waka’ is a gathering place - like Te Ahu. Nau mai, whakanuia Matariki 🌟

07/07/2026

Manawatia Matariki🌟 To cerebrate the newest public holiday here in Aotearoa, here is a helpful guide from Dr Rangi Matamua with the names of the stars 🌟 If you would like to learn more about the constellation & how an almost lost traditional observation has been remembered, recovered, & successfully reinvigorated as part of the growing understanding & appreciation for Māori astronomical houses of knowledge, Dr Matamua wrote the bestselling book MATARIKI: The Star of the Year, available online at Huia publishers, all good booksellers, & across the region at our Te Hiku o te Ika libraries. Kia ora!

06/07/2026

Team Te Ahu Museum is over the moon with our Whatu Creative whānau coming through for a Matariki collaboration next Friday 17 July 11-1pm NAU MAI

Matariki at Te Ahu Museum
Friday 17th July 11am-1pm
Museum at Te Ahu