Motueka District Museum

13/10/2026

A ceremony has been held to mark the return of a kiwi feather cloak to Aotearoa by the Pitt Rivers Museum.

The kahu kiwi was one of the farewell gifts presented to Dr George Cleghorn, a medical doctor who had been working in Wairau. It was loaned to the Pitt Rivers Museum by Cleghorn's widow in 1913.

Dr Lorraine Eade, chair of Ngati Rarua o te Wairau Society, said the cloak was "crying to come home" and its significance was "beyond measure".

The doctor advocated for the iwi's right to attend a local hospital instead of being required to travel further afield for medical treatment, Pitt Rivers Museum said.

Shane Graham, chief executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua
"It restores mana [prestige] and honours the deep emotional and cultural significance of our living connection to this taonga" Shane Graham, chief executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua

Well done Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua!

01/10/2026

Are you doing the People of Motueka Photo Competition Art Trail?!?
Stop into the museum to see this photography show along the way

Great exhibition of around 50 black and white photographs.

24/09/2026

On Now: Step into Monochrome! where black-and-white photographs meet monochromatic museum objects to reveal the poetry of the ordinary.

Discover how removing colour highlights texture, form, and emotion in scenes from Motueka and beyond.

30/08/2026

A reminder that there’s no ‘right’ way to visit a museum.

We can get very caught up in what we think we’re supposed to do.

You can visit in a way that works for you, shaped by your time, your mood, your curiosity, and what catches your attention.

😀

06/08/2026

📸 Entries are now open for the People of Motueka Portrait Photography Competition 2026!

We're looking for portraits that celebrate the people, stories, and communities that make our region unique (including Motueka, Riwaka, Lower Moutere, Kaiteriteri, Mārahau).

Open to organisations and people of all ages and skill levels, with a $500 People's Choice Award and other great prizes up for grabs.

Finalists will be featured in a public exhibition at the Motueka Library and a local Art trail in Motueka. Enter by 30 August 2026 at www.ghlegal.co.nz/peopleofmotueka.

28/07/2026

This month we’re featuring a fascinating piece of local history: the brass apothecary scales of Dr John Greenwood, Motueka’s first doctor.

portable and essential to 19th-century medicine, these scales helped ensure precise doses for patients.

Dr Greenwood arrived in Motueka in 1843 and played a major role in the district’s early life. His legacy lives on in both the museum collection and Greenwood Street.

Come and see this treasure, and more stories from Motueka’s past, at the museum.

26/07/2026

🌺 Day 1 – Vanuatu Bislama Language Week 🌺🇻🇺

Gud moning evriwan! Today we proudly begin celebrating Vanuatu Bislama Language Week.

Bislama is more than just a language—it carries our stories, our culture, our identity, and the spirit of the Ni-Vanuatu people wherever we are in the world.

To kick off the week, today's Phrase of the Day is:

🗣️ "I stret."
Meaning: "It's okay," "It's fine," "That's alright," or "That's correct."

Let's celebrate by speaking Bislama with family, friends, and our communities. Every word we speak helps keep our language strong for future generations.

22/07/2026

Motueka 🤝 Vanuatu🇻🇺
The 2026 theme for Vanuatu Bislama Language Week is "Tokbaot klaemet jenis – Hemi tru samting mo yumi mas lukaotem gud laef" - Talk about climate change – it is real, and we must look after life.

You can follow Motueka based YUMI TALEM on Facebook to learn more about Bislama Language Week and everything Vanuatu !

✨ It's almost Vanuatu Bislama Language Week ✨

The Vanuatu Bislama language celebrations kick off soon on Sunday 26 July. Find resources on our website - there are posters, graphics, language guides and more to help you get involved https://bit.ly/3IM58XO

17/07/2026

The Squid Is Leaving Soon!
There is only one more week left to experience Freaky Features!

Freaky Features! Colossal Squid-Te Ngū Tipua centres around an interactive table displaying the lens from an eye of the Colossal Squid, part of a te****le, and a complete tiny squid; the miniature of its colossal relative. Touchable rotating models of a squid’s te****le hook and the Colossal Squid's beak are also on display.

Closes Sunday 26 July. Don’t miss it.

24/06/2026

Celebrating Volunteer Week, the Motueka Museum proudly honoured the incredible people who give their time, energy, and passion to keeping our stories alive.

We marked the occasion with a special volunteers’ lunch and an engaging panel discussion. We were also privileged to receive a message of appreciation from Tasman District Council Mayor Tim King, acknowledging the dedication and impact of our volunteer community.

Pictured here is Mayor Tim King alongside former Mayor of Tasman District and Museum Patron, John Hurley. John has long been a champion of Motueka’s heritage, serving multiple terms as Mayor and contributing extensively to community development across the region. His ongoing support of the museum reflects a deep commitment to preserving local history for future generations.

To all our volunteers, past and present, thank you. Your work ensures that Motueka’s stories continue to be told, shared, and celebrated.