Friday Five: Things to do in Pōneke this weekend

Are you stuck on what to do this weekend? There’s lots going on in our creative little capital. Here are some ideas of what you can do this weekend!

Seven very large paintings in pink, orange, yellow and blue tones, lining the wall of a gallery with the silhouettes of two onlookers admiring the art standing on a vast wooden floor. — The Ten Largest, 1907. Photo courtesy of Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sweden.

1. City gallery says adjö to ‘Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings’

On Sunday 27 March City Gallery will close its doors on the ‘Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings’ and ‘Pages of Mercury: Rita Angus, Andrew Beck, Séraphine Pick ’ exhibitions for the last time.

To send them off in style, City Gallery has organised a great line-up of events:

Saturday 26 March

11am: ‘Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings’ Curator’s Tour

1pm: Spiritualism in the world of Hilma af Klint

2.30pm: Film: Beyond the Visible

Sunday 27 March

10.30am: MinDArT and Hilma Workshop

2.30pm: Poets Respond to ‘Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings’

The MinDArT workshop cost $25 and all other events are free with exhibition entry. Tickets cost between $5-$22.50 and can be purchased online or at the door. A valid My Vaccine Pass is required for entry.

2. Last chance to see 'in Pursuit of Venus (infected)’ at Te Papa

Sunday 27 March also marks the last day for which you can see the fascinating 'in Pursuit of Venus (infected)’ at Te Papa.

This work by Lisa Reihana is a retort to the French scenic wallpaper, ‘Les Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique’. This captivating work brings this wallpaper to life with movement and sound to challenge the Eurocentric representation of the original.

Head up to level 5 of Te Papa this weekend to catch this incredible piece for FREE before it goes. While you are there stop by some of their other great exhibitions like ‘Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist’ and ‘Encounters’.

3. Take a ‘Journey through Middle-earth’ and follow the Wētā Workshop’s Costume Trail

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring celebrated its 20th birthday this past December and Wētā Workship has unearthed some beloved hero props and armour.

The exhibition trail has seven locations with different props including Third Age Elf at the Wellington Cable Car Lookout, Uruk Scout and Rohan Soldie at Roxy Cinema and Third Age Gondoe at Wellington Museum!

Follow this fabulous free exhibition trail around Pōneke before it ends on Wednesday 30 March. A valid My Vaccine Pass is required for entry to most locations.

Gleo mural The Original Dream Witchita USA 2018.

4. ‘Here and Out’ brings street art inside Toi Pōneke

‘Here and Out’ brings together nine female street artists from all over the world to explore their reflections and journeys during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic and its lockdowns forced these artists to adapt their work to different mediums and utilise the digital realm. This exhibition will feature colourful paintings, sculptures, illustrations, video performances, tapestry and small murals, and will expand with performances on the streets outside Toi Pōneke.

Here and Out opens this Sunday 27 March and will run until Friday 22 April. Entry is free, but if you can’t make it in person this exhibition will also be available online in a way that replicates the gallery exhibition. A valid My Vaccine Pass is required for entry.

5. Enjoy some family time after school at Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo has been running late night Fridays all March with half price entry after 4pm!

Head on over to see what the animals get up to as the sun goes down. Learn more about some of our furry and feathered friends with animal talks on Keas, Giraffes, Meerkats and Monkey Island.

Can’t make it this Friday night? Don’t worry, Wellington Zoo is open everyday of the year 9.30am-5pm, except for Christmas day. A valid My Vaccine Pass is required for entry.

Watch out each Friday for a fun list of five great activities to do, places to explore, or things to discover in our awesome city.