There's always something fascinating at Aratoi, the Wairarapa's largest museum.
You'll discover national and Wairarapa displays, exquisite Māori taonga/treasures, ceramics, paintings, photography, children's art, textiles, and much more.
Check out what's on at Aratoi now:
- Ngā Haerenga/ Journeys - take a closer look at a waka fragment discovered on the Wairarapa coast and learn how Matariki is still used to navigate and mark the seasons today until 26 August 2022.
- Toitū Te Whenua, The Land Will Always Remain - showcasing five diverse artists which have investigated the ecological, historical, political and social forces which have shaped our environment, from large installations to intimate paintings until 26 June 2022.
- William's Legacy: The Beetham Portraits - William Beetham was the first professional portrait artist in NZ and this exhibition showcases selected portraits from the family, including some that have never been seen in a public exhibition before until 26 June 2022.
- ConArt Gallery & Studios: Artist Showcase #1 - Four selected artists from ConArt Gallery & Studios come together in the first of a new artist showcase series. Paintings in oil and acrylic, ceramics and photographs sit side by side demonstrating the incredible level of local artistic talent within the region until 3 April 2022.
Aratoi is part of the Masterton Arts Quarter, along with ConArt Gallery & Studio next door, King St Artworks and Te Pa. Download the Masterton Arts Quarter leaflet to learn more.
Entry to Aratoi is by donation - please give what you can. Aratoi is a registered charity.
Aratoi also serves as a performance art space, an educational centre, and has an eclectic gift shop.
Not far from Aratoi are a range of other activities and places:
Next door is Entice Cafe, a very family-friendly cafe with great coffee. The Masterton i-SITE Visitor Centre is just next door, and beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park is over the road. A few metres away is The Wool Shed, New Zealand's national museum of sheep and shearing. You can see this is a cool part of Masterton to check out!
