educational VISITS
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Visiting Hours are Monday - Friday, 9am – 3:00pm
Before visiting, please let us know you’re coming by filling out an enquiry form here.
SELF-GUIDED VISITS - free of charge.
Teachers are encouraged to use our space to enhance the NZ History Curriculum. Volunteers are available most days to offer manaakitanga and answer questions.
GUIDED SCHOOL TOUR - $150 per class
A guide will host your school group for 1 hour with age-appropriate history kōrero, activities, animated video and time for Q & A. The tour gives an overview of the history connected to Pūkākā Pā, the Land Wars and Taranaki Cathedral. Gather in our courtyard before visiting the Settler Gravesite, Waikato Warriors’ Memorial, and Te Whare Hononga. Classes are welcome to spend extra time after the tour exploring the site and looking through the exhibition touch screens in Te Whare Hononga. If you plan on bringing more than one class or more than 35 students please book two tours or contact us for other options.
EXHIBITION
Te Whare Hononga is a whare wānanga - a flexible purpose-built education space offering a free exhibition created for self-guided learning. The building speaks the story, with every detail prompting us to reflect on our history with honest curiosity. The entire exhibition is relatable for any age group and is in a style that kids can take in, inviting curiosity and questions. It is hard-hitting and thought-provoking, but leaves pathways open to exploring what reconciliation looks like. The videos and touchscreens are in English & Te Reo Māori.
Videos
The large screen has multiple videos to view:
- a 9-minute animated video with a honest retelling of St Mary’s conflicted relationship with Taranaki Māori, paying special attention to voices that have called for peace for generations.
- Welcome by Ngāti Te Whiti to the region
- A dynamic map showing the journey of Te Tiriti
- A dynamic map of Māori land loss.
Treaty Sheet
Featured on one wall is a large-scale replica of the Raukawa Moana Treaty Sheet, bringing history to life through an impactful visual representation. Alongside it is a touchscreen telling its story and highlighting key signatories from the Taranaki region.
Interactive Touch Screens (for each of the four contemporary pou)
- Whakapapa – connections to people & creation
- Mana Motuhake –indigenous decision-making
- Taonga Tuku Iho – caring for environmental treasures
- Whakapono – perspectives of faith, hope & love
TIKANGA
There is no requirement to be formally welcomed into the space, you can walk right in. You can even take photos. We encourage you to treat it as an extended classroom and as an opportunity to practice tikanga.
For instance...
If you have visited the gravesites then you may use the water available to help your students transition from tapu to noa, from conflict to peace.
We ask school groups to remove their shoes before entering Te Whare, and to sit on the floor when watching the video.
Take a moment as you enter Te Whare Hononga to acknowledge the kaupapa of peace and reconciliation. Use this as an opportunity to recite a karakia or practice a mihi whakatau.
Although it is acceptable to bring small amounts of food and water into Te Whare, we ask that meals be taken outside. There are designated wāhi noa (places to eat) outside, but do not eat on or near the graves.
VIDEOS
Kōrero with Jay Ruka about St Mary’s History