March 21st 2020
Aratoi is closed to the public until further notice. Please note that the Masterton i-SITE Vistor Centre remains staffed with our team members inside able to help you. It is closed to foot traffic. See the signage in the window which tells you how to contact our staff inside. They can assist you with accommodation and advice.
If you are an international visitor seeking advice on how to return home please go to this website: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/covid-19-update-for-visitors-and-tourists-in-new-zealand/
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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:
- Gavin Hipkins and Peter Peryer - Gone Home until 14 June 2020 - An epic 80-photo frieze "The Homely II" where Hipkins scrambles images of New Zealand and Great Britain, accompanied by 50 Peryer photographs chosen to resonate with it.
- Under Pressure - Contemporary Wairarapa Printmaking until 27 April 2020 - Contemporary printmaking by selected Wairarapa artists, including etchings, linocuts, woodcuts, screen prints, collagraphs, lithographs, intaglio and relief printing.
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!
