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News | 2 June 2023
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Friday Five: What to do in Wellington over King’s Birthday weekend

Wanting some inspiration on what to do in the capital over the King’s Birthday long weekend? Check out these five fun activities.

Lego exhibition with two dinosaurs made up of lego infront of a red curtain.

1. Experience Jurassic World by Brickman® at Tākina

Tākina, the capital’s new Convention and Exhibition Centre is now open! 

Head to the first ever exhibition at the venue, Jurassic World by Brickman®, which opens on Saturday 3 June. You’ll get to see the largest LEGO® brick exhibition in New Zealand and interact with the world that Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught has created about the blockbuster franchise.

Get up close to some of the dinosaurs you know and love from the movies, while getting a chance to build LEGO® throughout the exhibition. 

Book your tickets at WellingtonNZ.

 
Snow Leopard from Wellington Zoo.
Image from Wellington Zoo.

2. Make the most of Welcome Weekends at the Zoo

To say thank you to the community, Wellington Zoo are selling limited and discounted online tickets to the Zoo every weekend in June. Every week they’ll be releasing $5 Adult tickets and $2 child tickets (small booking fees apply). 

Visit the Zoo over the long weekend for your next adventure, and make a stop by the new Snow Leopard exhibition. 

Book now on the Wellington Zoo website. 

 
Two people standing and facing each other, with a red background.
Image from WellingtonNZ.

3. Immerse yourself in the Kia Mau Festival

Fast becoming one of the world’s most highly-regarded contemporary indigenous arts festivals, Kia Mau is on now until Saturday 17 June for an action-packed two weeks. This year’s celebration includes powerful theatre, a hip-hop musical, traditional dance made contemporary, live music, and visual arts.

See what's on this long weekend and check out the full programme on WellingtonNZ.

Three people standing on the street.
Cuba Mall, 1974. © Ans Westra, Ref: AW-1046-05

4. Pop in to Te Papa to see the life and work of Ans Westra

Ans Westra was one of Aotearoa’s most renowned photographers, with her work capturing over six decades of life in New Zealand. See her work displayed in the free exhibition at Te Papa.

Find out more about the exhibition on the Te Papa website. Or, read our story about Ans Westra on Our Wellington. 

 
Woman standing and holding up a large piece of art.
Image from the NZ Art Show.

5. Be inspired at the NZ Art Show

Find your favourite piece of art and take it home at the NZ Art Show. Running until Sunday 4 June at the TSB Arena, you can enjoy a curated art experience featuring hundreds of contemporary NZ artists. 

You can buy tickets from the NZ Art Show website or at the door. 

 

Read more

Taking blessing ceremony with Kura Moeahu

31 May 2023

Groundbreaking Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre blessed ahead of opening

Tākina, the capital’s exciting new Convention and Exhibition Centre, was blessed this morning ahead of an official civic opening this evening.

Jurassic World by Brickman® display of two dinosaurs with children playing.

3 March 2023

Tākina lays foundations for opening with Jurassic World by Brickman®

Tākina, the Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, will open in June with the internationally acclaimed LEGO® interactive exhibition, Jurassic Wor...
Three people standing on the street.

6 October 2022

The work of Ans Westra now on Recollect

Purchased by Wellington City Libraries over 40 years ago, the library’s complete collection of over 350 images from one of New Zealand’s most signific...