Puke Ariki

Puke Ariki Discover, learn, and explore – Puke Ariki is your gateway to Taranaki’s past, present and future. Learn more here: https://pukeariki.com/
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Pop in and explore what’s new at Discover it! — from a dedicated teen space to browse, hang out and make it your own, to...
16/06/2026

Pop in and explore what’s new at Discover it! — from a dedicated teen space to browse, hang out and make it your own, to fresh picks landing in the new book section.

Got a young reader at home? They can jump into Battle of the Books or join our Junior Book Club (ages 7–12) to meet other book lovers and enjoy great stories together.

Whether you’re coming in to read, connect or try something new, there’s something for everyone. Come in and see what you’ll discover ✨

Next month, Puke Ariki welcomes the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award - a major national touring exhibition from Te Pūke...
15/06/2026

Next month, Puke Ariki welcomes the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award - a major national touring exhibition from Te Pūkenga Whakaata New Zealand Portrait Gallery.

The exhibition celebrates the work of young Māori artists and their connections to tūpuna (ancestors) through portraiture.

Featuring 40 contemporary artworks across photography, painting, weaving, sculpture and more, the exhibition also includes local additions from Taranaki artists, historic photographs from our collections, Ngāti Te Whiti oral histories, and the newly created manaia (spiritual guardians) from TUKU: Open Studio that form part of the exhibition space.

Mark the date in your calendar and come check it out at Puke Ariki Museum when it opens Saturday 25th July.

Image credits:
Taniwha Chasers (2025), photographic print, Jazmin Tainui Mihi Paget-Knebel
Back to the Source (2025), photograph, Ashley Tutaki
Nap Time (2025), oil on canvas, Jessica Hulme
Tohetea (2025), moving image stop motion puppetry, sculpture, oil paint on glass, digital animation, Molly Friis
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa (2025), acrylic and oil on canvas, Emily Wharekura

On this day, 65 years ago 👀 A crowd of around 3,000 gathered at Pukekura Park to watch Taranaki take on the Indian natio...
11/06/2026

On this day, 65 years ago 👀 A crowd of around 3,000 gathered at Pukekura Park to watch Taranaki take on the Indian national hockey team - a match that drew international talent right here to New Plymouth. Final score 11-0 to the Indian Wanderers!

Photo reference:
Swainson/Woods Collection, Puke Ariki and District Libraries. Accession number: WD.010752

Puke Ariki and Community Libraries are so much more than places to borrow books ❤️As part of a national survey, hundreds...
11/06/2026

Puke Ariki and Community Libraries are so much more than places to borrow books ❤️

As part of a national survey, hundreds of locals shared what their library means to them, and the responses were pretty special.

For Royce, 77, it’s about connection:
“I’m not online, so the library is how I stay connected… It’s warm, welcoming, and there’s always a good vibe.”

For Pippa, 19, it’s a place to focus:
“I find it hard to work at home, but here I feel calm and focused.”

And for Shoshanah, 25, it’s part of family life:
“My daughter loves coming here… it’s such a welcoming space for kids.”

This is a reminder of the important role libraries play in our community.

Read more about the survey results here: https://www.npdc.govt.nz/council/news/2026/june/the-quiet-place-doing-big-things-in-our-community/

Heading along to Taranaki Arts Festival Winter Fest Speakeasy events? 📚✨ We’ve pulled together a selection of books you ...
10/06/2026

Heading along to Taranaki Arts Festival Winter Fest Speakeasy events? 📚✨

We’ve pulled together a selection of books you can borrow from the library ahead of time - perfect for brushing up before the kōrero begins. Whether you’re curious, keen to dive deeper, or just looking for a good read, it’s all waiting for you on the shelves.

Pop in, have a browse, and get event-ready!

More TAFT Winter Fest info found here: https://www.winterfest.co.nz/shows

Looking for something easy (and free!) to do with your little one this Friday from 10am – 11:30am? Bring your whānau alo...
09/06/2026

Looking for something easy (and free!) to do with your little one this Friday from 10am – 11:30am?

Bring your whānau along to Culture Baby at Puke Ariki - a relaxed, drop-in museum session designed especially for tamariki aged 0 - 4.

Explore sensory play together, connect with others, and enjoy a welcoming space where little ones can discover, play and just be. No bookings needed — just come along and join us ✨

There’s a few different events happening across Puke Ariki and our community libraries this Wednesday 10th June. Here’s ...
08/06/2026

There’s a few different events happening across Puke Ariki and our community libraries this Wednesday 10th June. Here’s what’s on:

📍 Puke Ariki Museum
10am – 10.30am
Kōrero P**i Story Time (formerly known as Crackerjacks)
A fun, hands-on session for tamariki to get creative and explore.

12pm – 12.30pm
TUKU: Waiata
Pause your day and join us in the TUKU: Open Studio for a relaxed lunchtime waiata session. No experience needed — just bring your voice.

📍 Inglewood Library & Service Centre
10am – 11am
Raranga
Join Whaea Mako to learn weaving and share a kōrero.

6pm – 7pm
Curious about solar?
Hear from Rob (Grid Breaker) and Cayden (Electritech) as they demystify solar electricity, share insights from Taranaki, and talk through exciting developments happening overseas.

All sessions are open to everyone — drop in for one or make a day of it.

Learn more here: https://pukeariki.com/whats-on

What does it really take to build an exhibition?Join the Puke Ariki exhibitions team at the TUKU: The Work Behind the Wo...
05/06/2026

What does it really take to build an exhibition?

Join the Puke Ariki exhibitions team at the TUKU: The Work Behind the Work sessions, for a behind-the-scenes look at the thinking, making, and decision-making that happens before the doors open.

This Sunday, the team will be upholstering new cushions, turning old exhibition materials into stools for the TUKU lounge. Come along and see how it’s unfolding.

Session times vary week to week - check out the What’s On section of our website to discover upcoming times: https://pukeariki.com/whats-on

Two reading challenges are coming to Puke Ariki this winter!For adults and teens, grab a Winter Reading Bingo card and c...
05/06/2026

Two reading challenges are coming to Puke Ariki this winter!

For adults and teens, grab a Winter Reading Bingo card and challenge yourself to read something new. Complete a line on your card to be in the prize draw.

And for kids aged 6–12, read across the stars in the Puanga Star Quest. Collect stickers for all 10 stars for a chance to win a prize ✨

Both challenges run 1 June - 31 July. Pick up your cards at Puke Ariki Library or one of the community libraries 📚

This building on Devon Street has worn many identities over the past century.In the 1920s, it was home to McGruer’s, a p...
28/05/2026

This building on Devon Street has worn many identities over the past century.

In the 1920s, it was home to McGruer’s, a popular drapery store. By the 1930s, the building had been transformed into a striking Art Deco style, during a wave of modern architecture that helped shape the look of the city we know today.

Decades later, it evolved again, becoming the Downtown Arcade in the 1980s, and then the Metro Plaza. For many, it was a place of everyday moments - grabbing lunch, meeting friends, or spending time at one of the city’s most well-known spots.

Now, it’s changing once more.

If you've been downtown lately, you'll see demolition is underway, revealing layers of New Plymouth’s main street history, while making way for the future. The redevelopment will open up this part of the Huatoki Stream and create a more connected, vibrant city centre for everyone to enjoy.

What do you remember about Metro Plaza? 👇

Address

1 Ariki Street
New Plymouth City
4310

Telephone

+6467596060

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